[Trial Recap] 10th Hearing in Sedition Trial of Yoon Suk-yeol (July 10, 2025)

 



The 10th criminal trial hearing for former President Yoon Suk-yeol was held on July 10, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court. Marking the first hearing following his second arrest, Yoon did not appear in court, citing health reasons. Nevertheless, the court proceeded with witness examinations as scheduled, focusing on the military's controversial involvement with the National Election Commission (NEC) during the December 3 martial law crisis.

🔍 Key Developments at a Glance

1. Yoon’s Absence and Legal Tensions
Yoon submitted a statement of non-attendance on the morning of the hearing, just hours after being detained at 2:07 AM. His legal team claimed the summons was not properly served and cited insufficient time for preparation. The court rejected these arguments and proceeded. The Special Counsel demanded measures to prevent repeated absences, including the issuance of a bench warrant if necessary.


2. Testimony – Col. Koh Dong-hee (former Chief of Plans, Defense Intelligence Command)
Col. Koh testified that under orders from Lt. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, he led a team that seized control of the NEC’s server room immediately after martial law was declared. He described disabling phone lines, blocking communications, and receiving ambiguous directives such as “you’ll understand by watching TV.” He admitted feeling that he was part of something “dishonorable” and feared he might not be able to speak about his actions later.


3. Testimony – Brig. Gen. Jeong Sung-woo (former Chief, Counterintelligence Command)
Brig. Gen. Jeong claimed he received a direct order from Gen. Yeo In-hyung to “copy or physically retrieve the NEC server.” However, concerned about legal consequences, he refused to execute the order and instructed his troops to stand down. Gen. Yeo has denied giving such orders.


4. Testimony – Yang Seong Lee (Director General, National Assembly Secretariat)
Mr. Lee testified that armed troops entered the National Assembly grounds via helicopters and attempted to break into the main chamber. In response, staff used fire extinguishers and barricades to repel them. Eventually, the Assembly convened and unanimously passed a motion to lift martial law.

⚖️ Broader Implications

Yoon’s absence has intensified speculation about a “delay strategy.” Legal experts suggest his team may soon file for a habeas corpus review (구속적부심), potentially arguing double jeopardy or the unconstitutionality of the Special Counsel Act. However, with the court citing “risk of evidence tampering” as grounds for detention, the odds of release remain slim.

🏷️ Tags

#YoonTrial #MartialLaw #SeditionCharges #MilitaryIntervention #ElectionCommission #ServerSeizure #DelayTactics #SpecialCounsel #KoreanPolitics #ConstitutionalCrisis

📌 Key Timeline Recap

DateEvent
2024.12.03Martial law declared (origin of sedition case)
2024.12.14National Assembly passes impeachment motion
2024.12.18/25/29Yoon refuses Corruption Office summons (3 times)
2024.12.31Arrest warrant issued
2025.01.03First arrest attempt fails (residence standoff)
2025.01.15Yoon arrested
2025.01.19Detention approved at 3 a.m.
2025.01.26Indicted by Special Investigation HQ
2025.03.07Detention ruled unlawful, Yoon released
2025.04.04Constitutional Court upholds impeachment
2025.04.11Yoon formally vacates presidential residence
2025.07.10        Yoon Suk-yeol Re-arrest 

🧾 Hearings Summary

1st Hearing (2025.04.14)

  • Closed-door session for security reasons.

  • Yoon gave a 93-minute lecture-like speech targeting prosecutors and the bench.

2nd Hearing (2025.04.21)

  • Witnesses: Col. Cho Sung-hyun, Lt. Col. Kim Hyung-ki.

  • Testified they refused unlawful orders to storm parliament.

3rd Hearing (2025.05.12)

  • Witnesses: Capt. Oh Sang-bae, Brig. Gen. Park Jung-hwan.

  • Testified Yoon gave orders to “shoot through doors” and “declare martial law multiple times.”

4th Hearing (2025.05.19)

  • Brig. Gen. Park stated he heard Maj. Gen. Kwak shouting “Break down the doors” and “Drag them out.”

  • Presented Kwak's handwritten notes from the night of the incident.

5th Hearing (2025.05.26)

  • Witness: Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun.

  • Said Kwak ordered raids on the National Assembly and DP headquarters on Yoon’s instruction.

  • Quoted Kwak relaying Yoon's words: “Use an axe to break in and drag them out.”

6th Hearing (2025.06.09)

  • Lee reaffirmed the order came directly from President Yoon.

  • Related audio was played in court.

  • Yoon appeared wearing a pink-patterned tie, remained silent throughout.

7th Hearing (2025.06.19)

  • Brig. Gen. Kim Chul-jin testified he heard Yoon say, “You should’ve sent 1,000 troops.”

  • Prosecutors claimed it proved intent to escalate martial enforcement.

8th Hearing (2025.06.23)

  • Prosecutors called for expedited trial due to detention timing.

  • Witnesses: Brig. Gen. Lee Jae-sik and Col. Kwon Young-hwan.

  • Both emphasized that “preventive martial law is impossible” and political rights can't be suspended.

9th Hearing (2025.07.03)

  • Dispute over legality of Special Counsel’s authority, focusing on distinction between “handover” and “transfer.”
  • Witnesses: Col. Kwon Young-hwan and Col. Koh Dong-hee.
  • Col. Kwon criticized the martial law decree’s unusual focus on doctors; Col. Koh described server room seizure and expressed moral unease.

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