[Trial Recap] 13th Hearing in Sedition Trial of Yoon Suk-yeol (Aug 11, 2025)
🗓️ Hearing Overview Date: August 11, 2025 Court: Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) Defendant: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol (absent; 4th straight no-show) Witnesses: Col. Kim Young-kwon (Defense Counterintelligence, 550th Unit), Brig. Gen. Koo Sam-hoe (former Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade) 1. Key Issues and Proceedings A. Defendant’s absence → in-absentia trial Bench: Proceed under the Criminal Procedure Act without the defendant present; any disadvantage arising from in-absentia proceedings is borne by the defendant . Legal basis: Criminal Procedure Act, Art. 277-2 (Defendant’s Refusal to Appear & Trial): (1) If a detained defendant refuses to appear without just cause and escort by correctional officers is impossible or markedly impracticable , the court may proceed without the defendant present . (2) When proceeding under (1), the court must hear the views of the prosecutor and defense counsel wh...