Executive Summary
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol will attend his sentencing hearing on the 19th at Seoul Central District Court.
- Attendance is mandated by the Criminal Procedure Act, following 16 prior absences during the trial.
- Seven other former officials, including the former Defense Minister, also face sentencing for insurrection charges.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to appear in person for his first-instance sentencing hearing regarding charges of leading an insurrection, according to confirmation provided by his legal defense team. The hearing, set for 3 p.m. on the 19th at the Seoul Central District Court, represents a pivotal moment in the high-profile case involving the former head of state.
According to Yoon’s legal representatives, the former president will comply with the Criminal Procedure Act, which mandates the physical presence of defendants during sentencing hearings. This marks a departure from the trial phase, during which legal observers noted Yoon was absent on 16 separate occasions. Attorney Yoo Jeong-hwa, a member of the defense team, stated publicly that there was no possibility of the former president missing this critical court date.
In addition to President Yoon, seven other high-ranking former officials face sentencing on the same day. These individuals include former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho, who are charged with executing key tasks related to the alleged insurrection. Yoon’s counsel indicated that no separate press conference or official statement will be released prior to the hearing, and confirmed that all defense opinion documents have been submitted, signaling the conclusion of the written defense phase.
Procedural Implications
The mandatory attendance of a former head of state at a sentencing hearing underscores the rigid application of judicial protocols regardless of political stature. As the first-instance trial concludes, the court’s delivery of the sentence will establish a significant legal precedent regarding the accountability of executive leadership. It is important to note that all individuals involved in the judicial process retain specific legal rights, including the right to appeal, and the proceedings are subject to the standards of evidence required by law.
