[Anchor]

Shim Woo-jung, the former Prosecutor General, is facing a critical juncture as he undergoes a court hearing to determine whether he will be detained. He is accused of participating in key missions related to insurrection and abuse of power for allegedly waiving the right to appeal the release of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The hearing took place this morning, July 16, and a decision on his arrest is expected as early as tonight.

Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong has the story.

[Reporter]

At approximately 9:15 a.m. today, former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung arrived at the Seoul Central District Court to attend his pre-arrest interrogation, facing charges of participating in key insurrection missions and abuse of power.

[Shim Woo-jung/Former Prosecutor General: (Do you admit to the charges of participating in the insurrection?) I will explain in detail the situation during the martial law declaration and the events that followed.]

Shim is accused of reviewing the dispatch of prosecutors to the Martial Law Joint Investigation Headquarters under the direction of former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae on December 3, 2024, the day the emergency martial law was declared.

He is also suspected of being involved in discussing response measures for crimes falling under the jurisdiction of military courts immediately after the martial law declaration, as well as participating in the drafting of a document titled "Trial Jurisdiction Under Emergency Martial Law."

The charges against Shim also include abuse of power regarding his decision not to file an immediate appeal after the detention of former President Yoon Suk Yeol was revoked.

Previously, former President Yoon, who was arrested and indicted on charges including leading an insurrection, filed a request for the revocation of his detention with the court in March of last year, arguing that the prosecution's indictment was made after the expiration of his detention period. The court granted the request.

At the time, Shim directed the release of former President Yoon without filing an immediate appeal, following deliberations such as a meeting of senior prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Jeon Mu-gon, former head of the Planning and Coordination Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, also appeared for his pre-arrest interrogation.

[Jeon Mu-gon/Former Head of Planning and Coordination Department, Supreme Prosecutors' Office: I will faithfully participate in the court proceedings.]

Jeon is accused of being involved in the drafting of the document on trial jurisdiction under emergency martial law and discussions regarding trial jurisdiction while assisting Shim during the martial law period.

A decision on whether to arrest Shim and Jeon is expected as early as tonight.

(Video reporting: Yang Hyun-chul, Video editing: Shin Se-eun)