Nosangwon, Kim Yonghyun, and Kim Yonggun Trials to Be Combined... Yoon's Merger Decision Pending (Comprehensive)

First Trial for "Key Rebellion Tasks" Set for the 17th of Next Month
Witness Examinations to Begin Ten Days Later
Jo Jiho and Kim Yonghyun to Be Tried Separately

The court will consolidate and hear the cases of key defendants indicted for the charge of rebellion related to the December 3 emergency martial law incident.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) held preparatory hearings on the 27th for former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won, former Military Police Commander of the 3rd Field Army Kim Yong-gun, and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, announcing this decision. Since all three are accused of engaging in important tasks related to rebellion and the cases are closely related, they will be consolidated and tried together.

Former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won, accused of premeditating the emergency martial law on December 3 and drafting the proclamation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The decision on whether to consolidate the case of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is charged as the ringleader of the rebellion, will be made after the second preparatory hearing scheduled for the 24th of next month.

In the cases of Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik, the trials will initially proceed separately from other defendants charged with rebellion, but consolidation will be considered later when determining the establishment of the rebellion charge.

The court explained, "Whether the charge of rebellion is established is the key issue in all cases, so that will be addressed when the cases are consolidated. Defendants Jo Ji-ho and Kim Bong-sik argue that it is difficult to see them as conspiring or participating regardless of whether the rebellion charge is established, so initially, the trial will start separately to verify the validity of such claims."

The first trial for former Commander Noh, former Military Police Commander Kim, and former Minister Kim will be held on the 17th of next month. From the 27th, ten days later, witness examinations will begin immediately. The first trial for Chief Jo and former Chief Kim is scheduled for the 20th of next month.

Former Commander Noh was arrested and indicted on the 10th of last month on charges of pushing for the establishment of the 2nd Investigation Unit of the Martial Law Command Joint Investigation Headquarters to investigate allegations of election fraud involving the National Election Commission after the declaration of martial law, and ordering the occupation of the National Election Commission and the arrest of its staff, along with former Minister Kim. Former Military Police Commander Kim was indicted on the 15th of the same month for participating in the conspiracy to establish the 2nd Investigation Unit and attempts to arrest National Election Commission staff under the orders of former Commander Noh. Chief Jo and former Chief Kim were arrested and indicted on the 8th of last month on charges of mobilizing police during martial law to block the National Assembly and participating in the operation of arrest squads targeting key figures such as Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party.

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