'Additional Indictment' Yoon, Absent Again Before Summer Recess?... 'Martial Law Mental Damage' Compensation Case First Trial Verdict [This Week's Court Schedule]

[Financial News] This week (July 21~25), before the summer recess, the court will continue the trial of the 'rebellion charges' case against former President Yoon Seok-yeol and others. It is noteworthy whether former President Yoon, who has refused to attend court after being re-arrested, will once again not appear in court. Additionally, the first trial verdict is expected for the compensation lawsuit against former President Yoon for 'mental damage due to martial law'.
According to the legal community on the 20th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Chief Judge Ji Gui-yeon) is scheduled to hold a trial session for former President Yoon, who is indicted on charges including being the leader of a rebellion, on the 24th at 10:15 AM. Former President Yoon was re-arrested on the early morning of the 10th for charges including obstruction of special official duties, and did not attend the 10th and 17th trial sessions held that morning.
In the last trial, former President Yoon's side argued that the prosecution by the special investigation team on rebellion and foreign exchange (Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok) infringes on the right to a fair trial. They also cited that former President Yoon, who is taking medication for diabetes and hypertension, has deteriorated health after being detained, making it difficult for him to climb the stairs to the meeting room, and thus long trial attendance is challenging.
However, it is reported that the Seoul Detention Center stated there are no special issues with former President Yoon's mobility. In response, the special prosecutor emphasized the obligation to appear in court, requesting the court to issue an arrest warrant, stating "As he has continuously not appeared, please issue an arrest warrant." Due to former President Yoon's repeated absences, the last two sessions were conducted in a 'session outside evidence examination' manner, only proceeding with witness examinations.
The court is also expected to decide whether to schedule additional sessions during the summer recess (July 28~August 8). During this period, trials for non-urgent cases are not held. The special prosecutor has requested scheduling during the recess, citing that the first trial verdict deadline under the Special Prosecutor Act is 'within 6 months after indictment'. In response, the court stated, "Even if not during the recess, we are considering scheduling one or two sessions on weekends," adding, "We will think it over carefully."
This week, the special prosecutor's team is also expected to assign the court for the additional indictment against former President Yoon on charges including abuse of power and falsification of official documents, filed on the 19th. It is noteworthy whether this case will be merged with the existing rebellion charges court.
Other rebellion cases are also picking up speed before the recess. The trial of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, indicted on charges including important rebellion duties, will be held twice on the 21st and 25th. The trial of the police leadership, including Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho, will also enter hearings on the 23rd before the recess.
Meanwhile, the verdict for the collective compensation lawsuit filed by 105 citizens claiming mental damage due to the declaration of martial law by former President Yoon will be delivered on the 25th. Chief Judge Lee Seong-bok of the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 2 is expected to deliver the first trial judgment on this day.
In the first hearing held on the 27th of last month, the plaintiffs argued that this lawsuit is different in nature from similar lawsuits claiming mental damage from the past Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation case. The plaintiffs pointed out that former President Yoon committed "unconstitutional rebellion acts," citing the 2022 Supreme Court precedent that deemed Emergency Measure No. 9 as unconstitutional and illegal.
On the other hand, former President Yoon's side claimed abuse of litigation rights and did not attend the hearing. They also reportedly stated that there is no causal relationship between the citizens' damage and former President Yoon's actions. The plaintiffs have explained the lawsuit reason, stating that former President Yoon declared unconstitutional martial law, causing severe fear and mental damage to the public.  



scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter