Yoon's Sedition Trial Continues Despite Court Recess... Jo Jiho Testifies 'Follow the Proclamation as Ordered'

[Financial News] While courts nationwide have entered the winter recess, the sedition trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol has continued. Former Commissioner General Jo Jiho testified in court that on the day Martial Law was declared, he conveyed instructions to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) to 'act according to the Proclamation.'
On the 29th, during a trial at the Seoul Central District Court presided over by Judge Jee Kui-yeon, Jo Jiho appeared as a witness in the case against former President Yoon, who is charged as the ringleader of sedition, and made these statements.
When asked by the defense attorney for Seung Young Yoon, former Director of the National Investigation Headquarters, whether he had ever told Im Jeongju, former Director of the National Police Agency's Security Bureau, 'If we do not follow the Proclamation, we could be arrested,' Jo replied that after reviewing a document containing the Proclamation and the Constitution with Im, he said, 'Hey, it would be right to follow the Proclamation,' and instructed that this be conveyed to the SMPA.
However, when questioned if he had specifically stated that 'failure to follow the Proclamation could lead to arrest,' Jo responded, 'I am not sure if I said that, but the intent was that it was right to act according to the Proclamation.'
During the afternoon session, Yoon's defense focused on the events of the day Martial Law was declared. The attorney asked whether, at a meeting at Safe House that evening, the president had given any orders to block the National Assembly or arrest lawmakers if Martial Law was declared. Jo Jiho stated, 'There were no specific instructions.'
Yoon's legal team also pressed Jo about whether Yeo In-hyung, former Commander of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, had requested the whereabouts of 15 lawmakers.
Jo Jiho explained, 'Location tracking requires a warrant issued by the court, which was not available at the time.' He added that since Yeo did not seem to fully understand, he expected further contact through a staff member and did not provide additional explanation. Jo further remarked, 'It seemed he was not well-versed in investigations,' and 'From my perspective, it was difficult to accept.'
Jo Jiho previously testified at the trial on the 24th that 'President Yoon ordered the arrest of lawmakers who scaled the walls of the National Assembly during Martial Law.' Yoon's side countered, arguing that at the time, access to the National Assembly was already permitted, thus questioning the credibility of Jo's testimony.
The court is scheduled to question Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, as a witness on the 30th. Additionally, the court plans to merge the cases involving Kim and Jo with the case against former President Yoon.

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter