Col. Cho Sung-hyun, Who Ordered Troops Not to Cross Sogang Bridge, Requests Dismissal of Insurrection Indictment

The legal representative of Cho Sung-hyun, the former commander of the 1st Security Group of the Army Capital Defense Command (colonel) indicted for relaying orders from military superiors to deploy to the National Assembly during the December 3 emergency martial law situation, has requested the court to dismiss the indictment.

During the first preparatory hearing for Cho's trial on charges of engaging in important duties of an insurrection held by the 38-1 Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Sungjin, Jeong Su-young, and Choi Young-gak), Cho's attorney stated, "Our position is that the indictment should be dismissed primarily, and an acquittal should be rendered alternatively."

When the court asked, "Is it correct that you are claiming violation of the rule against the statement of indictment in the indictment, unspecificity of the facts charged, and abuse of prosecution authority?" the attorney replied, "Yes."

The attorney further argued that although Cho received instructions during the emergency martial law to the effect of "entering the National Assembly and dragging out lawmakers," he practically refused to fulfill them and withdrew his troops at Sogang Bridge, meaning he had no intention of participating in the insurrection.

The court decided to hold another preparatory hearing on the 23rd to gather opinions from both sides regarding the evidence.

Cho was indicted without detention on August 19 for allegedly participating in the insurrection by relaying former Capital Defense Commander Lee Jin-woo's orders to deploy to the National Assembly to the 2nd Special Mission Battalion and the 35th Special Mission Battalion immediately after the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3, 2024.

Cho is a figure who received the Order of National Security Merit, Samil Medal, in recognition of his contribution to instructing the units moving toward the National Assembly at the time not to cross Sogang Bridge.

Previously, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok also decided not to book Cho, judging that he ultimately refused to comply with the orders.

However, the 2nd comprehensive special counsel team led by Kwon Chang-young later indicted Cho, concluding that he actively cooperated with the martial law before changing his attitude after the National Assembly passed the resolution demanding the lifting of the emergency martial law.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.