'Evidence Tampering Instruction' Trial of Kim Yong-hyun to Begin in Earnest Next Month... Defense Warns: 'Do Not Force Arguments'

[Financial News] Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who faces additional charges including instructing the destruction of evidence, will begin his full trial next month.
On the 20th, the 34th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Sung-Jin Han, held the fifth pretrial hearing for Kim, who is accused of instructing evidence tampering and other offenses.
The court first addressed the claims raised by Kim's defense regarding the Special Counsel for Insurrection (led by Cho Eun-seok), stating that there were no issues. On the 13th, Kim's legal team argued that the special counsel violated Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the Prosecutors' Office Act, which prohibits prosecutors from indicting crimes they themselves initiated investigations into, and questioned the appointment of the dispatched prosecutor.
The court explained, 'The substantive content of the Special Counsel for Insurrection Act is similar to the Special Counsel Act for State Affairs Manipulation, and there is a ruling that allows prosecutors dispatched under the special counsel’s direction to participate in maintaining the prosecution.' Thus, the involvement of the dispatched prosecutor in maintaining the prosecution is permissible.
Requests to merge or transfer the case with the insurrection trial currently underway in the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (presided over by Judge Ji Gui-yeon) were also denied.
Kim's defense immediately objected. When the court asked about the charges, the defense responded, 'Do not force us to argue.'
They continued, 'The presiding judge is committing unlawful detention and abusing judicial authority, proceeding with a trial based on claims that are clearly unfounded. As a legal professional, aren't you ashamed? Did you become a lawyer to create such arguments?' The defense continued its criticism of the court.
The court plans to proceed with the full trial starting on the 10th of next month.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter