The Seoul Central District Court has prepared support measures for a prompt and fair trial of cases prosecuted by the three special prosecutor teams.
The Seoul Central District Court announced support measures for the special prosecutor’s trial division through a media notice today (18th).
To reduce the workload of the trial division assigned to the special prosecutor’s cases, there will be a reduction in the assignment of general cases.
The court stated that when a trial division is assigned one special prosecutor’s case, it will not be assigned five general cases, applying a weighting system.
Particularly, the Criminal Agreement 35th Division (Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyun) handling charges against former President Yoon Seok-yeol, including obstruction of special government duties, and the Criminal Agreement 27th Division (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) handling charges against Ms. Kim Kun-hee, including violations of the Political Funds Act, will not be assigned ten general cases per special prosecutor’s case.
A court official explained that this additional weighting is due to the high complexity of the cases involving former President Yoon and Ms. Kim.
The Criminal Agreement 25th Division (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon), which is handling three cases related to insurrection, including former President Yoon’s ‘chief of insurrection’ charge and charges against former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Police Commissioner Cho Ji-ho for major involvement in the insurrection, will have an additional judge.
One judge, who will return in September, will be added to the Criminal Agreement 25th Division. This additional judge will handle non-insurrection related general cases.
A court official stated, “The newly assigned judge will not be involved in the existing insurrection trials to avoid the necessity of trial renewal procedures that would arise with a change in the trial division.”
Additionally, the Seoul Central District Court, together with the Seoul High Court, has formed a “Trial Broadcasting Preparation Team” and is requesting a related budget, facilities, and personnel.
According to the Special Prosecutor Act, trials related to insurrection must be broadcasted. As a result, the trials concerning former President Yoon’s ‘chief of insurrection’ charge and other insurrection-related cases will be recorded.
The Seoul Central District Court is requesting additional judges from the court administration office and plans to increase personnel for the special prosecutor’s trial divisions to expedite the handling of these cases.
[Photo Source: Yonhap News / Provided by the Seoul High Court]
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