Sangmin Lee Refuses to Testify in Han Duck-soo’s Trial Despite 97 Questions... Also Declines to Take Oath

[Financial News] Sangmin Lee, former Minister of the Interior and Safety, who has been indicted for allegedly participating in Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 3 Martial Law, appeared as a witness in the trial of former Prime Minister of South Korea Han Duck-soo but refused to testify.
On the 19th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 33, presided over by Judge Jin Gwan Lee, continued the trial of Han Duck-soo, who is facing charges of aiding the leader of an insurrection and performing key roles in the insurrection.
Sangmin Lee, who had attended the Cabinet meeting before the Martial Law declaration, appeared as a witness at the trial.
Before the trial began in earnest, Lee refused to take the witness oath, taking a firm stance. He stated, "According to the Criminal Procedure Act, one can refuse to take the oath if there is a valid reason," and added, "I will not take the oath." In response, the court imposed a 500,000 won fine as a sanction.
Once the trial commenced, Lee consistently refused to testify. When the special prosecutor attempted to clarify the process of the Cabinet meeting before the Martial Law declaration on December 3 last year, Lee repeatedly answered, "I will not comment." To every question from the special prosecutor, he simply replied, "I will not answer." Occasionally, he remarked, "I will address the details in my own trial," and "This is the Prime Minister’s trial; why are you asking me? I don’t think it’s appropriate." Despite 97 questions from the special prosecutor’s team, Lee provided no substantial answers.
The court remarked, "This is the first time I have seen a witness refuse to take the oath in a criminal trial," adding, "Since there is no valid reason for the refusal, we have imposed the maximum fine of 500,000 won." Lee responded, "A fine is imposed only when there is no valid reason. I object to this," and requested, "Please record my immediate objection in the minutes."
In the afternoon session, former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun are scheduled to appear as witnesses.
Previously, both had submitted statements of non-attendance to the court, but as the court has issued compulsory summons warrants, it maintains its position to enforce their appearance.
The court stated, "There are currently warrants issued for both individuals. Since the warrants were issued as a compulsory measure, the court does not consider the wishes of the parties involved. Regardless of their intentions, the warrants must be executed."

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