[Trial Recap] 12th Hearing in Sedition Trial of Yoon Suk-yeol (July 24, 2025)
12th Hearing Summary – July 24, 2025
Yoon Suk-yeol Sedition Trial
Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon)
🗓️ Overview
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Date: July 24, 2025, 10:15 AM
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Defendant: Yoon Suk-yeol (Former President)
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Location: Courtroom 417, Seoul Central District Court
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Witness: Colonel Kim Bong-gyu (ROK Defense Intelligence Command)
🔍 Key Developments
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Third Consecutive Absence of Yoon Suk-yeol
Yoon failed to appear for the third time since his re-detention. The court initiated an investigation into whether his absences constitute unjustified refusal under the Criminal Procedure Act. The presiding judge announced that Yoon’s medical condition and his ability to be forcibly brought to court would be verified through the detention facility. -
Special Prosecutor Demands Arrest Warrant for Compulsory Appearance
The prosecution argued that Yoon’s health claims were already dismissed during the habeas corpus hearing. They emphasized that he had attended nine hearings previously and even spoke during a recent 4-hour bail hearing—proving his capability to participate. They requested the court issue an arrest warrant to ensure attendance. -
Defense Argues Constitutional Violation of the Special Prosecutor Act
Yoon’s lawyers claimed that the very foundation of the special prosecutor’s authority is unconstitutional and announced plans to request a constitutional review. They further argued that the prosecution's conduct amounts to a political suppression campaign. -
Colonel Kim Bong-gyu’s Testimony on Martial Law Plot
Colonel Kim testified that he received a confidential document from former Intel Chief Noh Sang-won in November 2024—one month before the December 3 martial law declaration. The document outlined actions under "martial law conditions," including instructions to detain 30 National Election Commission employees and move them to a military bunker.
Kim further revealed that Noh stated, "Call me Director. I will personally interrogate Chairman Noh Tae-ak," and implied intent to lead a special military task force targeting alleged election fraud. -
Tensions Over Trial Schedule During Court Recess
The prosecution requested additional hearing dates—even during court recess—citing urgent public interest. Yoon’s defense strongly opposed, labeling the proposal impractical and offensive, particularly regarding mention of appointing public defenders in case of further no-shows.
👤 Witness Background: Colonel Kim Bong-gyu
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Position: Senior officer in the ROK Defense Intelligence Command
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Status: Currently indicted as a co-conspirator in the sedition case
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Role: Participated in pre-martial law planning meetings with ex-Intel Chiefs
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Key Allegations: Helped organize covert plans to seize NEC infrastructure, including instructions to forcibly detain personnel and manage a second-tier investigation unit ("Unit 2") led by ex-commander Noh Sang-won
🔁 Disputes Summary
| Issue | Prosecution | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Yoon’s Absence | Unjustified, warrants arrest | Due to health + unconstitutional investigation |
| Special Prosecutor Legitimacy | Properly authorized by law | Violates Constitution, request for review planned |
| Martial Law Planning | Coordinated, targeted NEC and public institutions | No official act by Yoon confirmed |
| Recess Hearings | Necessary for speedy resolution | Unrealistic, request for public defender is offensive |
🏷️ Tags
#YoonSukYeol #SeditionTrial #MilitaryPlot #MartialLaw #ColonelKimTestimony #ElectionInterference #SpecialProsecutor #ConstitutionalDispute #SeoulCentralCourt
📌 Key Timeline Recap
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024.12.03 | Martial law declared (origin of sedition case) |
| 2024.12.14 | National Assembly passes impeachment motion |
| 2024.12.18/25/29 | Yoon refuses Corruption Office summons (3 times) |
| 2024.12.31 | Arrest warrant issued |
| 2025.01.03 | First arrest attempt fails (residence standoff) |
| 2025.01.15 | Yoon arrested |
| 2025.01.19 | Detention approved at 3 a.m. |
| 2025.01.26 | Indicted by Special Investigation HQ |
| 2025.03.07 | Detention ruled unlawful, Yoon released |
| 2025.04.04 | Constitutional Court upholds impeachment |
| 2025.04.11 | Yoon formally vacates presidential residence |
🧾 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.
10th Hearing Summary (2025.07.10)
Yoon Suk-yeol was absent from court for the first time, citing health issues and challenging the constitutionality of the Special Prosecutor.
Prosecutors pushed for a warrant of compulsory appearance, warning against prolonged absence.
Key witness Jeong Sung-woo (former Defense Counterintelligence Director) testified that the order to seize the Election Commission server came directly from the President and Defense Minister on December 3, 2024, at 10:50 p.m.
Jeong stated he paused execution due to constitutional concerns, fearing it might mirror the 5.18 Gwangju military abuse.
The court noted inconsistencies in Yoon’s health excuse, as he had appeared early for a detention review earlier that week.
Yoon Suk-yeol failed to appear for the second consecutive hearing; his defense cited health deterioration and challenged the constitutionality of the special prosecutor.
The court expressed concern over prolonged absences, while the prosecution requested an arrest warrant to compel appearance.
Colonel Jeong Seong-woo testified that Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung gave orders to seize the National Election Commission servers on December 3, 2024, citing "presidential instructions."
The order was issued at 10:50 PM, but Jeong delayed execution due to constitutional concerns.
He warned of a potential "May 18-like incident" and described heightened tension within the military.
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