The special investigation team for the insurrection requested an additional indictment and arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on the 23rd, and stated that they submitted an opinion requesting that the review of the arrest warrant proceed as planned. They claimed that the recusal request filed by Kim’s side was clearly an attempt to delay the trial.
Earlier that day, Kim’s legal team submitted a request for the recusal of all members of the 34th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, stating that according to criminal procedure law, the review process should be immediately halted. However, the special investigation team countered this claim, arguing that the recusal request was obviously intended to delay proceedings and that the trial should not be stopped as the matter was urgent.
The 34th Criminal Division had decided to hold a hearing at 2:30 PM to determine the necessity of continuing Kim’s detention, as his initial pretrial detention period was set to expire on the 26th. Under current law, if it is determined that a trial delay is intended, the court can immediately dismiss a recusal request.
Kim’s side argued that setting a date for the warrant review without serving the indictment was illegal and infringed upon Kim’s right to a fair trial and the defense’s right to argue.
Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok, investigating former President Yoon Seok-youl and others on insurrection and foreign interference charges, additionally indicted Kim on charges of obstruction of official business by deceit, and instructing the destruction of evidence on the 18th. Allegations include deceiving the Presidential Security Service to acquire a sensitive phone on December 2 of last year and handing it to No Sang-won, a former intelligence commander who was a civilian at the time, and directing an aide surnamed Yang to destroy documents related to martial law on December 5 following the declaration of martial law.
Kim is currently under detention on charges of engaging in significant insurrection-related duties. If detained under these additional charges, his detention period could be extended until the end of the year.