Did They Oppose Martial Law? Han Duck-soo and Former Cabinet Members in Dispute Over the Truth... First Trial Verdict for Noh Woong-rae [This Week’s Court Schedule]

[Financial News] Han Duck-soo, former Prime Minister, who is on trial for allegedly failing to actively prevent former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, will face other participants of the pre-martial law Cabinet meeting in court. Former President Yoon and Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, who has been indicted and detained, are scheduled to testify. In addition, the first trial verdict for Noh Woong-rae, former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker accused of receiving illegal political funds from a businessman, will be delivered.
According to the legal community on the 9th, the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jin Gwan Lee, will continue hearings for Han Duck-soo on the 10th and 12th regarding charges of aiding the leaders of the rebellion, performing key roles in the rebellion, and perjury.
At the hearing on the 10th, Kim Yong-hyun and Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), will testify. On the 12th, Yoon Suk Yeol and Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, are scheduled for witness examination. At the previous hearing on the 5th, Choi Sang-mok, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Jin Gwan Lee, and Park Sang-woo, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), were scheduled to be questioned, but Choi and Lee did not appear. At that time, Park testified that 'cabinet members are also victims' and suggested that the martial law declaration was a mistake.
Attention is also focused on whether participants of the pre-martial law Cabinet meeting will appear as witnesses. Since Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Yong-hyun are currently on trial themselves, they may not attend. Jin Gwan Lee did not appear at the last hearing, citing preparation for his own trial, but the court did not accept this as a valid reason and plans to issue a warrant for his appearance on the 19th. Choo Kyung-ho is also unlikely to attend due to an upcoming parliamentary vote on his arrest motion.
If Minister Song Mi-ryeong appears, her testimony is expected to clarify whether Han Duck-soo actively tried to dissuade the martial law declaration. So far, the Special Prosecutor Team has argued, based on Cabinet meeting CCTV footage, that Han Duck-soo did not make active efforts to stop Yoon Suk Yeol. In contrast, Han claims that he repeatedly advised Yoon against declaring martial law. Since Choi Sang-mok testified to prosecutors, police, and the special counsel that Han did not actively intervene, Song is also expected to face questions about the actual circumstances during the Cabinet meeting.
The verdict for Noh Woong-rae, who is on trial for receiving illegal political funds from a businessman, will also be delivered on the 12th. Noh is accused of accepting 60 million won from businessman Park between February and December 2020 in exchange for facilitating power plant supply contracts, solar power business favors, and logistics center permits, among other campaign contributions. Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence, a fine of 200 million won, and the confiscation of 50 million won.
The Special Prosecutor Team will also conduct pre-trial witness examinations. On the 10th, a session is scheduled for Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, regarding allegations that Choo Kyung-ho obstructed a parliamentary vote. Han Dong-hoon has refused to appear three times, claiming the investigation is politically motivated. If he fails to appear again, no further hearings are expected due to the possible issuance of an arrest warrant for Choo. Han Ki-boong, former president of Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), who is under suspicion of lobbying for a pardon, is also scheduled for a hearing on the 13th but is not expected to attend.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter