George Ho, the Administrator of the Korean National Police Agency, who was arrested and indicted on charges including blocking the National Assembly following orders from President Yoon Suk-yeol during the state of emergency on Dec. 3, denied the allegations at the first pretrial hearing held on the 6th, stating, "I was performing the public safety activities required of the police." Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik's side also stated, "We deny all charges."
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, held the first pretrial hearing for Administrator Jo and former Seoul Police Chief Kim, who have been indicted on charges of vital duties concerning the insurrection, starting at 10 a.m. that day.
The pretrial hearing is a day to organize future hearing plans before the formal trial, and the defendants are not obligated to appear in court. However, former Seoul Police Chief Kim, who is currently detained, appeared in court that day. Administrator Jo, who was released on bail due to health issues, did not attend the hearing.
Administrator Jo's lawyer stated, "As the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, I was fulfilling the required public safety tasks of the police," and added, "Although there is a misunderstanding that I supported the army, I was not involved in the insurrection; rather, I prevented the realization of the crime to ensure that the martial law did not succeed."
Subsequently, the lawyer for former Chief Kim noted, "We have not thoroughly examined the specific facts, but we generally deny the intentionality of the insurrection charge and the purpose of violating the constitution."
Administrator Jo and former Chief Kim are accused of meeting with President Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun in the presidential safe house in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the day of the martial law to discuss matters related to the martial law, and under the president's orders, mobilizing their experience to block facilities of the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and support the operation of the arrest team.
On that day, the prosecution revealed that the number of witnesses expected to be requested in the entire insurrection case is 520. Regarding the merger with the former minister's trial, they stated, "We are negative about this," adding, "At first, we need to conduct a focused hearing concurrently."
In contrast, Administrator Jo and former Chief Kim's sides stated, "Since the prosecution's allegations also include military-related matters, we should merge and hear the case as much as possible."
The court plans to clarify whether the merger with the former minister's trial and the focused hearing will proceed at the next pretrial hearing. The second pretrial hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 27.