Second Court Appearance on Treason Charges
Former President Yoon Seok-yeol appeared in court for the second hearing of his treason trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong on the 21st.
This is the first time Yoon has been publicly seen sitting in the defendant’s seat during the treason trial.
The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Agreement Division 25, presided by Judge Ji Gui-yeon, commenced the second hearing of the treason charges against the former president at 10 AM on the 21st.
Yoon entered courtroom 417 through an internal corridor at 9:56 AM. Upon his arrival, his legal team stood up and bowed to him. He took his seat in the defendant’s second row, far right, wearing a dark navy suit with a red tie, the same as in the first hearing.
Without speaking, he initially looked straight ahead, then glanced around at the audience and cameras. When the judges entered at 10 AM, Yoon stood, bowed in greeting, and resumed his seat.
The court explained that they had allowed court photographing prior to the proceedings to cater to public interest and the right to know, similar to previous related cases.
The court declared at 10:01 AM that filming would cease to proceed with the scheduled trial process and instructed the filming personnel to exit for a brief courtroom arrangement.
Yoon, with a slight smile, observed the audience seats and shared a brief conversation with attorney Wi Hyun-seok seated next to him before looking towards the cameras as the photographers exited.
The trial will include cross-examination of Colonel Jo Sung-hyun, commander of the 1st Security Battalion of the Capital Defense Command, and Lieutenant Colonel Kim Hyung-gi, commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, by Yoon’s legal team.
Previously, the court had denied filming during the first hearing on the 14th due to late submission of filming requests, which prevented confirmation of the defendant’s consent. The legal media pool resubmitted the request the following day, and on the 17th, the court allowed filming within the courtroom up until the start of the second hearing.
According to Supreme Court rules regarding courtroom attendance and filming, the presiding judge can allow filming inside the courtroom with the defendant’s consent. Even without consent, the court may permit filming if it significantly serves public interest.