Former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung has been penalized with a fine for failing to appear as a witness in the insurrection mastermind trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The 12-1 Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (High Court Judges Lee Seung-chul, Cho Jin-goo, and Kim Min-ah) announced this during the appellate trial for the insurrection charges against former President Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun held today.

The court stated, "The witness examination for former Commander Yeo was scheduled for today, but he submitted an absence reason stating that 'it is difficult to attend as he needs to meet with his defense counsel to prepare explanations for his general treason trial.' We cannot view this as a justifiable reason and will issue a fine."

The court further pointed out, "He originally stated that he would attend today, but suddenly submitted an absence notice and failed to show up, which is quite perplexing for the bench."

Today's trial was adjourned early due to the witness's absence.

The court decided to summon former Commander Yeo again to question him on September 7 and 10.

Former Commander Yeo is awaiting his first-instance sentencing on September 21 after being indicted on charges including engaging in important missions of insurrection for deploying troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and forming and operating politicians' arrest squads during the December 3 emergency martial law situation.

He was separately indicted on charges of general treason for allegedly conspiring with former President Yoon to dispatch a drone to Pyongyang via the Drone Operations Command around October 2024 to fabricate conditions for declaring emergency martial law. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the first trial and is currently undergoing appellate proceedings.

(Photo provided by Seoul Central District Court, Yonhap News)