Kim Keon Hee, testifying in Park Sung-jae trial: "Yoon never told me about declaring martial law"

[The Financial News] Kim Keon Hee appeared as a witness in the trial of former Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae, who is accused of taking part in the December 3 emergency martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Kim stated that she had no knowledge at all of Yoon’s plan to declare emergency martial law.
Criminal Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-gwan, held a hearing on the 13th in the case against former Minister Park, who faces charges including performing key duties in connection with insurrection.
Kim appeared in person as a witness that day. She entered the courtroom wearing a black coat, a white shirt, and a face mask.
Kim refused to testify in response to questions from the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Insurrection, headed by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok. The special prosecutor’s office asked her questions such as whether she had ever sent a Telegram message to former Minister Park. Regarding the relationship between Yoon Suk Yeol and Park Sung-jae, Kim answered, "I had hardly heard anything about that." She also said she had never heard anything about Yoon’s personnel decisions at the prosecution service.
When a lawyer for Park asked, "Do you know whether former President Yoon visited former Minister Park’s home while he was serving at the Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office?", Kim replied, "I have absolutely no idea," adding, "What has come out today is not something I could have known about."
When the court asked, "Did former President Yoon ever tell you anything about declaring martial law, either before or after the declaration?", Kim answered, "Not at all."
Prosecutors allege that after the emergency martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, former Minister Park convened senior officials at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and ordered them to secure space in correctional facilities, consider dispatching prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters, and place the exit-ban team on emergency standby, thereby participating in Yoon’s insurrection. He also faces allegations that, after receiving a request from Kim, he disposed of a related case by clearing it of charges. Park’s side has denied the accusations, stating, "As one of the cabinet members at the time of former President Yoon’s emergency martial law declaration, the defendant actively opposed and tried to dissuade the emergency martial law measures."
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter