Former President Yoon Suk-yeol was seen sitting in the defendant's seat in the first publicized photos and videos of his trial on charges of being the leader of a rebellion.
On the 21st at 10 a.m., former President Yoon attended the second trial session for the rebellion leader charges at the Seoul Central District Court's 25th Criminal Division (Director General Ji Gwi-yeon).
Previously, the court did not allow filming in the courtroom during the first trial held on the 14th. This was due to the reason that the press could not ask for permission to film until just before the trial, preventing them from consulting the defendant's opinion.
According to the Supreme Court rules regarding courtroom attendance and filming, the presiding judge can grant permission for internal courtroom filming if the defendant consents. However, even if the defendant does not consent, permission can be granted if it is deemed significant for the public interest.
Before the trial that day, the court asked for the opinion of former President Yoon's side before permitting press filming. Although Yoon's side expressed that granting filming permission was inappropriate, the court approved it, considering the public interest and the citizens' right to know regarding this case.
Previously, in May 2017, the court allowed filming during the first formal trial of former President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal, and the following year in May, it permitted filming during the first formal trial of former President Lee Myung-bak on bribery and embezzlement charges.
That day, former President Yoon entered the courthouse through the underground parking lot in a car. He then entered the courtroom around 9:57 a.m. Yoon was dressed in a dark blue suit with a red tie.