▲ Hwang Kyo-ahn, former Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn claimed that the disturbance incident at the Seoul Western District Court occurred as a response to “incorrect investigations and arrests” of President Yoon Suk-yeol by investigation agencies.
In a trial held today (19th) at the criminal division 11 (Chief Judge Kim Woo-hyun) of the Seoul Western District Court for those involved in the disturbance incident, Hwang argued that “an analysis of why such events occurred is also necessary.”
He stated, “The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials conducted an investigation without jurisdiction and detained (President Yoon) by obtaining a warrant from the Western District Court, not the Central District Court,” asserting that “the procedure was severely flawed and individuals without investigative authority conducted the investigation.”
He also claimed that the majority of defendants being detained was excessive.
As a former public safety prosecutor, Hwang argued, “As someone who has handled many such cases, it is customary for about 5-6 out of 100 apprehended to be detained,” and “Currently, nearly 90 out of 200 individuals are detained. It is excessive detention.”
He further requested the release of the detainees, claiming, “There was no premeditated crime, it was an accidental offense.”
The court held the first trial today for 16 of the 63 people initially indicted over the Western District Court incident.
Given the large number of defendants, trials for 23 individuals on the 10th and 24 individuals on the 17th were held first.
They are charged with (special building intrusion) after allegedly entering the premises or buildings of the Western District Court through group force on January 19, following the issuance of President Yoon’s arrest warrant.
Defense attorneys argued that most defendants did not use group force and did not forcibly open the back door of the court.
The argument that it is inappropriate for the Western District Court, the site of the incident, to handle the trial was reiterated.
The prosecution stated they would amend the content regarding the ‘forced opening of the back door’ uniformly specified in the indictment.
(Photo = Yonhap News)