Seoul: An appeals court conducted the first preliminary hearing for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection trial regarding his unsuccessful 2024 martial law declaration, following his life imprisonment sentence by a lower court.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul High Court session came after appeals from both Yoon and a special counsel team against the February ruling. The ruling had previously convicted Yoon of leading an insurrection through his martial law declaration on December 3, 2024. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team had sought the death penalty for Yoon, accusing him of inciting a riot with the intent of subverting the constitutional order.
Yoon's attempt to implement martial law collapsed after the National Assembly rejected his decree, leading to his impeachment and removal from office. During preliminary hearings, which do not mandate the presence of defendants, the focus is on scheduling future proceedings. Yoon, currently detained, did not attend Monday's session.
The trial also involves former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, sentenced to 30 years for his alleged role in the insurrection, alongside six former senior military and police officials. Kim's lawyers have requested the court to seek the Constitutional Court's judgment on the constitutionality of the tribunal overseeing the trial. If the request is denied, they plan to file a petition with the Constitutional Court directly.
The appellate court has scheduled the next preliminary hearing for May 7, before commencing formal trial hearings. Meanwhile, special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team has summoned Yoon for questioning on Thursday. This marks the first summons by Kwon's team, initiated in February to probe unresolved suspicions surrounding Yoon and his wife, previously unexplored by three special prosecutors, including Cho. Kwon's investigation includes allegations of Yoon's preparation for a second martial law declaration.