Yoon Faces Three Trials a Week... Kim Keon Hee's Verdict Approaching as Special Prosecutor to Present Sentencing Recommendation [This Week's Trial Schedule]

[Financial News] Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, identified as the focal point of the three special prosecutor investigations, is set to stand trial three times a week. In addition to two ongoing cases led by the Special Prosecutor Team for Insurrection and Treason (headed by Cho Eun-seok), the trial by the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team (headed by Lee Myeong-hyeon) will also commence in earnest. If further indictments are brought by the two existing special prosecutor teams and the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team (headed by Min Joong-ki), Yoon could face the unprecedented situation of up to five trials a week. The trial concerning Kim Keon Hee’s alleged DEUTSCH MOTORS stock manipulation is also expected to conclude soon.
According to the legal community on the 30th, Criminal Division 36 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jeong-yeop) will hold the first preparatory hearing on the 1st for Yoon Suk Yeol and others, who are charged with general treason and abuse of authority. The preparatory hearing for Kim Yong-dae, former commander of the Drone Operations Command, who was indicted for obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means and instigation of falsifying official documents, will also be held on the same day.
This trial, led by the Special Prosecutor Team for Insurrection and Treason, involves Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, and Yeo In-hyeon, former head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC), in what is known as the 'treason' case. The special prosecutor alleges that Yoon and others, in October last year, orchestrated a military provocation by North Korea and deployed drones to Pyongyang through the Drone Operations Command, aiming to create grounds for declaring Martial Law.
Initially, the special prosecutor considered charging them with the crime of treason by collusion, which requires conspiracy with an enemy state. However, after further investigation, the charge was changed to general treason, which does not require proof of conspiracy. General treason applies when someone harms the nation’s military interests or provides military benefit to an enemy, regardless of notification. The special prosecutor concluded that deploying drones and causing them to crash near Pyongyang resulted in the leakage of military secrets such as operations and capabilities. Under current law, treason by collusion carries the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted, while general treason is punishable by life imprisonment or at least three years in prison.
In addition to this trial, Yoon Suk Yeol will also face charges as the leader of an insurrection and for obstructing special official duties (resisting arrest). With the additional indictment by the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team regarding the 'Lee Jong-seop, former Minister of National Defense, escape to Australia case,' Yoon is expected to stand trial four times a week. If the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team also indicts him as the key figure in personnel and solicitation intervention allegations, Yoon could become the first former president to face five trials a week.
The trials concerning Kim Keon Hee’s alleged DEUTSCH MOTORS stock manipulation, Geonjin Beopsa solicitation, and Myung Tae-gyun nomination intervention are coming to an end.
Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Insung Woo) will hold the sentencing hearing on the 3rd for Kim Keon Hee, who is charged with violating the Capital Markets Act, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery). During this hearing, Kim Keon Hee will be questioned as a defendant, followed by the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation and the final statements from the defense and the defendant. Typically, sentencing is handed down within one to two months after the sentencing hearing, so a verdict for Kim Keon Hee is expected as early as early January next year.
Meanwhile, the court will issue its first decision regarding Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, who is accused of obstructing a parliamentary vote. Judge Lee Jung-jae of the Seoul Central District Court, in charge of warrants, will conduct a pretrial detention hearing for Choo at 3 p.m. on the 2nd of next month. Choo is suspected of having repeatedly changed the location of the parliamentary caucus meeting at the request of Yoon Suk Yeol’s side during the Martial Law declaration on December 3 last year, thereby preventing other lawmakers from participating in the vote to lift Martial Law.
At that time, Choo Kyung-ho announced the emergency caucus meeting immediately after the declaration of Martial Law and changed the location three times, alternating between the National Assembly and the party headquarters. As a result, many People Power Party lawmakers were unable to attend the vote to lift Martial Law. The National Assembly’s resolution to lift Martial Law passed with 190 votes in favor, as 90 out of 108 People Power Party lawmakers were absent.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter