What Judge Jee Kui-yeon Said at the Final Hearing in the ‘Yoon Sedition’ Case: “Professionals Don’t Whine”

The Financial News reported that the final hearing before sentencing in the case accusing former president Yoon Suk Yeol of leading an insurrection began at 9:20 a.m. on the 9th. The closing arguments hearing for seven former senior military and police officials, including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and former Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Jo Jiho, who are charged with participating in key roles in the alleged insurrection, was held at the same time.

Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jee Kui-yeon, held the final hearing on the insurrection charges against Yoon Suk Yeol and seven other defendants on the morning of the same day in Criminal Courtroom 417 at the Seoul Central District Court.
Because the prosecution’s sentencing recommendations for the eight defendants and the parties’ final statements had to be completed, the court moved up the usual start time by 40 minutes and opened the session at 9:20 a.m.
Yoon Suk Yeol entered the courtroom wearing a navy suit and white shirt, holding a brown document envelope in his right hand, and bowed his head toward the bench. After taking his seat in the dock, he immediately flipped through the documents placed in front of him and then spoke with his attorney, Yoon Kap-geun, seated to his left.
The hearing first proceeded with the examination of documentary evidence submitted by the defense team for former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Ha-Sang Lee, counsel for the former minister, argued, “The indictment in this case is a grave challenge to the democratic legitimacy of the president of the Republic of Korea and an act that disturbs the constitutional order,” adding, “Only the president, who is directly chosen by the people, can determine whether a national crisis exists that would justify declaring martial law. Prosecutors have no authority to make that judgment.”
Throughout the examination of the documentary evidence, former president Yoon mostly listened to Lee’s arguments with a neutral expression, occasionally turning to whisper with attorney Yoon Kap-geun. At other times, he leafed through the documents on the desk, closed his eyes while listening, shifted in his seat, or glanced around the gallery.

Before the examination of the documents, there was also a brief verbal clash between the special prosecutor and the defense.
When attorney Ha-Sang Lee said, “We were not able to print enough hard copies of the documentary evidence,” and explained, “They are being copied and brought over now,” the special prosecutor’s team responded, “Let’s proceed first with the defendants who are ready.”
As the two sides raised their voices over how to proceed, presiding Judge Jee Kui-yeon interjected, saying, “We are nearing the end of this trial—there is no need for this,” and added, “The difference between a professional and an amateur is that professionals don’t whine.”
Lee reacted sharply, asking, “Are you saying we are the ones whining?” Judge Jee replied, “What you are saying right now is exactly what I mean by whining. If you are not prepared, you should politely ask the court for its understanding.” While this exchange was taking place, the documents arrived in the courtroom and the situation was resolved.
The court adjourned the morning session at 12:27 p.m. The hearing was scheduled to resume at 2:00 p.m. The statutory penalty for the charge of leading an insurrection that Yoon faces is death, life imprisonment, or life penal servitude. Criminal Courtroom 417, where the trial is being held, is the same courtroom where former president Chun Doo-hwan was sentenced to death on the same charge.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter