27 People from the People Power Party Related to the National Assembly Fast Track, First Trial Today

Analysis of Evidence and COVID-19 Impact Cause Multiple Delays
Four Preparatory Hearings...Former and Current Lawmakers Appear Today for the First Time

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The formal trial for the People Power Party (formerly Liberty Korea Party) officials indicted over the National Assembly Fast-Track (rapid processing agenda) clash incident will be held for the first time. The trial, which had been postponed several times due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is expected to be conducted in three sessions as the number of defendants reaches 27.

The Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Lee Hwan-seung) will hold a trial session on the 21st for 27 individuals, including former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, who are charged with obstruction of official duties and other offenses. On this day, all 27 defendants are expected to attend as the trial will include a recognition examination where the judge asks the defendants their names, ages, registered domicile, residence, and occupation according to the Criminal Procedure Act.

The defendants include former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (then Liberty Korea Party floor leader), as well as lawmakers Yoon Han-hong, Lee Man-hee, Kim Jung-jae, Song Eon-seok, Kwak Sang-do, Lee Cheol-gyu, Kim Tae-heum, Jang Je-won, Park Sung-joong, and former lawmakers Kang Hyo-sang, Kim Myung-yeon, Min Kyung-wook, Jung Gap-yoon, Jung Yang-seok, Jung Yong-gi, Jung Tae-ok, Kim Seon-dong, Kim Sung-tae, Yoon Sang-jik, Lee Eun-jae, Lee Jang-woo, Hong Cheol-ho, along with three aides.

The prosecution indicted them in early January this year, but the trial schedule was delayed due to the vast amount of video evidence submitted and the large number of people involved in the case. It is reported that the video data submitted by the prosecution alone amounts to 6TB (terabytes), with reclassified data reaching 917GB (gigabytes).

So far, four trial sessions have been held, but since these were preparatory hearings without the obligation for the parties to attend, only the defense attorneys have appeared to prepare for the trial.

To minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, the court decided to divide the defendants into groups of 8 to 10 for the trial. At 10 a.m. on the day, eight defendants including former floor leader Na Kyung-won and former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook will appear; at 2 p.m., nine defendants including former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn; and at 4 p.m., ten defendants including former lawmaker Kim Sung-tae and lawmaker Jang Je-won will stand in court.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.