"'Hamburgerjip Hoedong' Nosangwon and Kim Yonggun Cases Merged... Afternoon Sessions Include Consecutive Trials of Kim Yonghyeon and Others"

Court: "All Insurrection Cases Should Eventually Be Consolidated"
Second Pretrial Hearings for Senior Military and Police Officials Held in the Afternoon
Third Pretrial Hearing for Former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun to Follow

On the 27th, the court announced that it will consolidate the cases of former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won and former Colonel of the 3rd Field Army Military Police Kim Yong-gun, who are accused of conspiring to commit insurrection as key personnel involved in the so-called 'hamburger joint meeting'.

The Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) held the second pretrial hearing for Noh's case involving charges of engaging in important duties related to insurrection and obstruction of the exercise of rights by abuse of authority, and made this decision.

Former Intelligence Command Chief No Sang-won, accused of premeditating the emergency martial law on December 3 and drafting the proclamation, is being transferred to the prosecution while moving to the escort vehicle at the Seoul Western Police Station in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On that day, the court stated, "We have decided to proceed by consolidating the case with Colonel Kim Yong-gun's case," adding, "Whether to consolidate with other defendants will be decided after the afternoon pretrial hearing." The court further remarked, "I think all related cases should be consolidated." The main trial procedures for these individuals will proceed at 2 p.m. on the 17th of next month.

Additionally, the court explained that the main issues in Noh's trial involve his participation in the conspiracy related to the establishment and operation of the Joint Investigation Headquarters' 2nd Investigation Unit and the securing of the National Election Commission's computer room. When asked whether he acknowledged the charges, Noh's side responded, "We need to review the testimony of former Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho before providing an opinion on the charges."

At the first trial, Noh's defense denied all charges, stating, "The crime of insurrection does not apply," and "Helping fellow soldiers does not constitute abuse of authority," thereby rejecting all allegations. On the other hand, the prosecution argued, "One of the main purposes of the emergency martial law was to verify election fraud, and Noh had a broad plan to investigate the arrest and detention of the National Election Commission by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, giving specific instructions."

Noh did not appear in court again that day. The pretrial hearing is a procedure to confirm the positions of both the defendant and the prosecution and discuss the plan for evidence presentation before the main trial, and attendance by the defendant is not mandatory.

Noh, identified as a 'behind-the-scenes' figure in the December 3 emergency martial law, is known to be a junior alumnus of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun at the Korea Military Academy and had a working relationship with him during their military service.

The afternoon session will include a series of second pretrial hearings for senior military and police officials, including Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho and former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik, who are accused of leading the insurrection, as well as Colonel Kim Yong-gun. Additionally, the third pretrial hearing for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun is scheduled.

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