The first formal criminal trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol will not allow the photographing of his appearance while sitting in the defendant's seat by photographs or videos.
According to the legal community on the 12th, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, led by Director General Ji Gyu-yeon, decided not to accept media requests for court filming during the first formal trial of former President Yoon, scheduled for the 14th. The court did not provide an explanation for its refusal.
According to the Supreme Court rules regarding court attendance and filming, the presiding judge may grant permission for internal court filming if the defendant agrees. However, permission may also be granted if it is deemed significant to public interest, even without the defendant's consent.
In May 2017, during the first formal trial of former President Park Geun-hye's abuse of power case, and in May the following year for the first formal trial regarding former President Lee Myung-bak's bribery and embezzlement cases, filming was permitted. It is known that the court granted permission for filming considering the public interest, national attention focused on the cases, and their significance.
Meanwhile, the court has decided to permit a non-public entry through the basement if former President Yoon requests it during his first public hearing on the 14th.