South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for his first criminal trial. He was charged with leading a rebellion during the December 3 emergency martial law incident.
On Thursday, Yoon left the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, and reached the court in Seoul’s Seocho district early in the morning.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi Yeon, will hold the first preparatory hearing for Yoon’s trial on rebellion charges at 10 a.m. This session aims to establish the positions of both the defendant and the prosecution and discuss evidence plans before the main trial begins. Yoon’s attendance is not mandatory for this proceeding.
However, his attorney, Yoon Gap Geun, stated that the President intends to attend the hearing on his detention cancellation request, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday. His legal team filed the request, arguing that he was illegally arrested and detained after being indicted following the expiration of his detention period on February 4. The court has set today as the hearing date.
Criminal procedure rules typically require the court to decide on such requests within seven days of receipt, barring special circumstances. The extended timeline in this case is likely due to the gravity of the situation, allowing for more thorough deliberation.
The court will consider consolidating Yoon’s hearings with other defendants facing rebellion charges. It will also hear arguments from both the prosecution and Yoon’s team regarding the detention cancellation.
If the cancellation request is granted, the prosecutor can immediately appeal under Article 97, Section 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act. If denied, his team is expected to file for bail as part of their appeal process.
Due to high public interest, the court has restricted entry to essential vehicles and implemented strict identity checks and security screenings at all entrances.