[At a Glance] 5th Trial Summary: Yoon Suk-yeol’s Sedition Charges (May 26, 2025)

[May 26 Trial Recap] Orders to "Drag Out Lawmakers" at Gunpoint: Explosive Testimony and Audio Shake Up the Court

On May 26, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court held the fifth criminal trial against former President Yoon Suk-yeol, accused of leading an attempted insurrection through the illegal declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The proceedings revealed striking new developments, including direct military testimony and court-released audio recordings suggesting high-level coordination to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly.

🔹 Trial Overview

• Date: May 26, 2025 (10:15 AM)

• Venue: Seoul Central District Court

• Presiding Body: Criminal Panel Division 25

• Key Attendees:

  • Yoon Suk-yeol (Defendant, former President)

  • Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun (Commander, 1st Airborne Brigade, Special Warfare Command, Testifying Witness)

  • Prosecutors and Defense Counsel

  • Media and heightened security presence

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🔹 Major Trial Developments

1. Explosive Testimony: "Break the Door Down. Drag the Lawmakers Out."

Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, who led troop deployments on the day of the martial law declaration, testified that he received explicit instructions from then-Special Forces Commander Gwak Jong-geun, allegedly conveying the President’s own orders.

According to Lee:

"Commander Gwak told me, 'The President says to break the doors if necessary and drag the lawmakers out.’ Then he paused for a few seconds and added, 'Can’t we just cut the electricity, too?’”

Lee stated that he understood these instructions to originate directly from President Yoon, fundamentally altering his perception of the deployment — from a routine military operation to an unlawful political intervention.

2. Court-Played Audio Recordings Confirm Orders

During the hearing, prosecutors presented a recorded phone call from the night of December 3, in which General Lee is heard relaying these orders to a subordinate:

“They’ve locked the doors and seem to be voting inside... Break the doors and drag them all out.”

This audio appears to corroborate Lee’s claims that the military was directed to intervene inside the National Assembly using physical force.

3. Controversial ‘Axe’ Remark and Gwak’s Contradiction

Lee further testified that Gwak explicitly used the term “axe”, saying:

“If the doors are locked, use an axe to break them.”

While Commander Gwak previously denied using the term, the discrepancy between testimonies is drawing significant public attention, especially since Lee maintained that the command came under the President’s authority.

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🔹 Dispute Over Seizure of Encrypted Phones

Another focal point was the ongoing debate regarding the search and seizure of classified encrypted phones allegedly used by the former President and his inner circle to coordinate martial law operations.

• Prosecution’s Position:

  • Argues that the encrypted devices contain key records of illegal communication and orders.

  • Requests access to call logs, Presidential Office entry records, and CCTV footage.

• Defense Response:

  • Denies the phones were used for martial law coordination.

  • Argues that such a search would be based on speculation and risks distorting facts.

• Court's Action:

  • Requested a formal written opinion from the defense before making a ruling on the seizure request.

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🔹 Yoon Remains Silent

Consistent with previous trials, former President Yoon remained entirely silent, refusing to answer media questions such as:

“Do you still refuse to apologize for the illegal martial law?”
“What’s your response to the axe order testimony?”

 

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🔹 What’s Next?

• Next Hearing Date: June 9, 2025, at 10:15 AM

• Key Agenda:

  • Cross-examination of Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun by the defense

  • Further review of the seizure warrant request regarding encrypted phones

  • Possible introduction of new supporting evidence

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This fifth trial marks a turning point in the legal proceedings, as direct military testimony and corroborated audio recordings paint a more detailed picture of presidential involvement in military deployment against the legislature. The public awaits the court’s next steps, particularly its decision on whether to allow the search of encrypted communication devices that may hold further proof of coordinated insurrection.

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물론입니다. 기존 타임라인에 **2025.05.26. (5차 공판)**을 다음과 같이 추가한 버전을 아래에 제공드립니다:

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🗓️ Key Timeline Recap

Date	Event
2024.12.03	Martial law declared, triggering sedition case
2024.12.14	National Assembly passes impeachment motion
2024.12.18 / 25 / 29	Yoon refuses three summonses by the Corruption Investigation Office
2024.12.31	Arrest warrant issued
2025.01.15	Yoon arrested after standoff
2025.01.26	Indicted for sedition and abuse of power
2025.03.07	Detention canceled (unlawful application of Crim. Proc. Act ruled)
2025.04.04	Constitutional Court upholds impeachment – Yoon officially removed
2025.04.14	1st trial hearing – Yoon lectures prosecutors, 93 min speech
2025.04.21	2nd hearing – Witnesses deny military intervention orders
2025.05.12	3rd hearing – Testimony of “shoot to enter” and “repeat martial law” orders
2025.05.19	4th hearing – Witness confirms orders to breach National Assembly
2025.05.26	5th hearing – “Drag out lawmakers” audio revealed, axe order testimony