Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the fourth hearing of his insurrection trial Monday following controversy over his influence on next month’s presidential election. Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in a black van and entered the building without answering reporters’ questions. This marked the second time he chose the open entrance, as he was previously allowed to use the underground parking route for his initial two appearances.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Monday’s hearing addressed allegations that Yoon led an insurrection through his December 3 declaration of martial law, as well as new charges accusing him of abusing his power through the decree. Two witnesses were called to testify: Park Jeong-hwan, chief of staff of the Army Special Warfare Command, and Lee Sang-hyun, former head of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade.
Park, after taking the witness stand, recounted witnessing Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, then head of the Army Special Warfare Command, receive multiple phone calls on the night of December 3. Although Park could not discern the identity of the caller, he testified that he heard Kwak repeating directives to “enter even by breaking down doors.”
Previously, during Yoon’s impeachment trial, Kwak had testified that the former president instructed him via phone to forcibly enter the National Assembly building and “drag out” lawmakers who were convening to vote against his decree.
The upcoming election to choose Yoon’s successor is scheduled for June 3, following his impeachment and removal from office over the martial law declaration. On Saturday, Yoon withdrew from the conservative People Power Party amid growing perceptions that his membership was adversely affecting the party’s presidential candidate, Kim Moon-soo, whose approval ratings have significantly trailed behind those of his liberal Democratic Party competitor, Lee Jae-myung.
If Yoon is convicted of insurrection, he could face severe penalties, including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.