Sangcheol’s Legal Journal : YouLaw Insights

  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 Int...

  🗓️ Hearing Overview Date : June 16, 2025  Location : Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) Defendant : Yoon Suk-yeol, Former President of South Korea Key Witness : Kim Cheol-jin, Former Military Aide to Defense Minister 🔎 Key Developments 1. Shift in Yoon's Courtroom Demeanor Former President Yoon, who had largely remained silent in prior hearings, broke his silence during the 7th hearing. He directly addressed the bench, stating his intention to speak after future witness examinations. He criticized the prosecution’s resistance to changes in the witness plan, saying: “Is it because they lack confidence in their case?” Yoon also explained his conduct after the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift martial law, claiming that he: Respected the Assembly's intent despite procedural defects, Ordered his aides to review the National Assembly Act, Drafted a presidential statement for the martial la...

South Korea is currently navigating a significant political event: the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Constitutional Court is at the forefront, determining the outcome of this unprecedented situation. **Background** On December 3, 2024, President Yoon declared martial law, citing concerns over "anti-state activities" by opposition parties. This move was met with swift opposition, leading to the National Assembly's impeachment of Yoon on December 14, 2024. The impeachment was grounded on allegations of insurrection and abuse of power. **Constitutional Court Proceedings** The Constitutional Court commenced its review of the impeachment on December 27, 2024. The court has a 180-day window to reach a decision, which could result in either the reinstatement or permanent removal of President Yoon.  A two-thirds majority vote among the justices is required to unseat the president. As of February 6, 2025, the court has conducted six hearings. Notably, during th...