Court says final arguments likely to wrap up by Nov. 5

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol sits in the defendant's seat at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 16, during a first-instance sentencing hearing on charges including obstruction of special official duties, aiding a criminal's escape and abuse of authority. [Seoul Central District Court]
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol sits in the defendant's seat at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Jan. 16, during a first-instance sentencing hearing on charges including obstruction of special official duties, aiding a criminal's escape and abuse of authority. [Seoul Central District Court]

The appeal trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on insurrection leadership charges is expected to wrap up arguments early next month. The court said it plans to conclude proceedings by Nov. 5, raising the prospect of a second-instance verdict before the end of this year.

The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12-1 said Thursday, during a hearing on Yoon's insurrection leadership charges, that it expected to complete final statements "around Nov. 5."

The court is scheduled to examine former Presidential Security Service chief Park Jong-jun as a witness on Tuesday. Defendant questioning of Yoon is set for Oct. 22 and Oct. 27.

The insurrection special prosecutor team will deliver its final arguments on Oct. 29. The defense is then expected to present its closing statements on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5, after which arguments will conclude.

Given that sentencing typically follows the close of arguments by one to two months, a second-instance verdict could come as early as this year.

The appeal was filed in March, but proceedings were suspended after Yoon's side sought to have the presiding judges disqualified. The recusal motion, filed ahead of the first hearing in May, was ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court, and the trial resumed in June.

The special prosecutor act governing insurrection cases requires second-instance sentencing to be completed within three months of indictment by the special prosecutor. However, Yoon's insurrection leadership case was indicted by prosecutors' emergency martial law special investigation unit before the special prosecutor was launched, meaning the so-called "6-3-3 rule" does not apply.

Yoon faces charges of declaring an unconstitutional and unlawful emergency martial law and inciting a riot with the intent to undermine the constitutional order. He is also accused of mobilizing the military and police to blockade the National Assembly and of attempting to arrest and detain key political figures and National Election Commission staff.

The first-instance court found Yoon guilty of leading an insurrection and sentenced him to life in prison — a lesser punishment than the death penalty sought by the special prosecutor team.


moon@heraldcorp.com