Lawmakers from the People Power Party (PPP) indicted on charges of obstructing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and police from arresting former President Yoon Suk Yeol denied the charges in court.

During the first preparatory hearing for the trial held by Criminal Settlement Division 35 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun) on the 13th, the defense counsel for PPP Lawmaker Na Kyung-won stated, "We deny the facts charged."

The attorney explained, "While the defendant was at the scene and expressed her political stance, there was no exercise of physical force, assault, or threats beyond that."

Attorneys representing lawmakers Kim Gi-hyeon, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kwon Young-jin, who were indicted together, also claimed innocence, asserting there was no assault or threats against CIO officials at the time of the incident.

Lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon's defense counsel even argued for the dismissal of the indictment, claiming that Kwon Chang-young's 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Team lacks the authority to investigate this case.

On this day, the court strongly reprimanded the special prosecutor team for poorly drafting the indictment.

First, the court pointed out that some Criminal Act provisions related to the facts of the crime were omitted from the "applicable legal provisions" section of the indictment.

Addressing the special prosecutor team, the court asked, "Why was that part omitted? Did you not read the indictment? How can you list only Article 144, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Act by itself?"

The court also noted that the special prosecutor team indicted defendants such as Lawmaker Na by designating them each as sole principals, yet the indictment included the expression "jointly," which is contradictory.

The court further pointed out that the preliminary factual background section of the indictment was unnecessarily lengthy.

In response, the special prosecutor team stated that it would review whether to apply for an amendment to the indictment.

The court decided to hold one more preparatory hearing on the morning of November 5.

Lawmaker Na and others are accused of obstructing the CIO and police from executing the arrest warrant for former President Yoon by forming a human wall alongside former President Yoon's supporters in front of the presidential residence on January 15 of last year.

Previously, the Special Prosecutor Team for Insurrection led by Cho Eun-seok received a complaint against Lawmaker Na and others and examined the facts, but concluded the case with a dismissal after determining that the charges were not proven.

However, the Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Team launched subsequently conducted a reinvestigation and indicted them, stating it confirmed they had realistically obstructed the execution of the warrant rather than merely expressing opposition to the arrest.

(Photo: Yonhap News)