First Trial of Police Leadership Involved in 'Nae-ran' "Unaware of Illegality... Not Intended for Nae-ran"

Jo Jiho, Kim Bongsik, Yoon Seungyoung, and Mok Hyuntae Trials Consolidated
All Defendants Deny Prosecution's Claims
Court Requests Prosecution to Specify Charges
Witness Examination to Begin on the 31st

On the day of the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3, Police Commissioner Cho Ji-ho and former Seoul Police Commissioner Kim Bong-sik, who were indicted for blocking the National Assembly under the orders of President Yoon Seok-yeol, denied all charges at their first trial. Other former police officials indicted on similar charges also claimed they were unaware of any illegality and denied any intent to disrupt the constitutional order or commit rebellion.

Police Chief Jo Ji-ho, who was indicted on charges of insurrection related to the December 3 emergency martial law incident, is attending the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on March 20, 2025. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the 20th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) held the first trial session for Cho, Kim, former Police Agency National Investigation Headquarters Planning and Coordination Officer Yoon Seung-young, and former National Assembly Security Commander Mok Hyun-tae, who were indicted on charges including involvement in important tasks related to rebellion. The court initially planned to proceed with Cho and Kim at 10 a.m. and Yoon and Mok at 11 a.m., but decided to combine the two cases for joint proceedings.

First, the prosecution stated at the trial, "They conspired with President Yoon Seok-yeol, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, former Commander of the Defense Security Command No Sang-won, and former Military Police Commander of the 3rd Field Army Kim Yong-gun to coerce constitutional institutions under an unconstitutional and illegal proclamation, making it impossible for them to exercise their powers." They further claimed, "With the intent to disrupt the constitution and national order, they declared emergency martial law across the Republic of Korea, mobilized 1,600 armed soldiers and 3,790 police officers to occupy and control access to the National Assembly, the Central Election Management Committee, and the Democratic Party headquarters, inciting riots that disturbed regional peace."

In response, Cho's defense argued that they performed the policing duties required of them and prevented the execution of crimes rather than participating in rebellion, denying all prosecution claims. Cho's side stated, "We merely carried out security duties as usual, with no intent to disrupt the constitutional order or commit rebellion," adding, "After the proclamation, we strengthened control over the National Assembly under the orders of the martial law commander, without any awareness of illegality." Similarly, Kim's defense said, "There was no awareness of what was happening," and strongly denied the occurrence of riots.

The defense teams of former Officer Yoon and former Commander Mok stated that they only performed their inherent police duties and had no intention to overthrow the system or disrupt the constitutional order. Yoon's defense said, "Under unprecedented circumstances and limited information, we did not recognize any illegality and simply performed our inherent duties of prompt reporting and handling," adding, "We carried out tasks to protect the Republic of Korea's system." Mok's defense also claimed, "I learned about the emergency martial law at home and returned to the National Assembly upon receiving contact, so I am unrelated to the incident."

Yonhap News

After hearing the initial statements from both sides, the court requested the prosecution to specify and clarify what is meant by 'sequential conspiracy' and 'important tasks related to rebellion' in the indictment after reviewing the defense's written opinions. At the second trial session scheduled for the 31st, the court plans to separate the cases of Cho and Kim from those of Yoon and Mok and proceed directly to witness examination. However, since these trials involve similar charges such as blocking the National Assembly during the emergency martial law and forming arrest squads for key figures, there is a possibility that the trials may be consolidated in the future.

Former Commissioner Cho is accused of blocking the National Assembly and the Central Election Management Committee facilities by mobilizing police forces during martial law under President Yoon's orders. Former Officer Yoon is charged with reporting to Cho and receiving approval and instructions after receiving a support request from Lee Hyun-il, head of the National Investigation Headquarters Planning Division, for the Defense Security Command's arrest attempts and formation of arrest squads. Former Commander Mok is accused of ordering the blocking of all civilians, including members of the National Assembly, from entering the National Assembly on two occasions as the person responsible for National Assembly security.

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