Former President Yoon Suk-yeol said to former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, "We should have sent 1,000 soldiers to the National Assembly," after the National Assembly passed a resolution calling for the lifting of the state of emergency on Dec. 4 last year, according to military officials.
On the 16th, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25, presided over by Director General Ji Kwi-yeon, held the seventh trial of former President Yoon's insurrection leadership charge from 10:15 a.m. until around 6:36 p.m.
During the trial that day, the testimony of former Military Advisor Kim Cheol-jin from the Ministry of National Defense was taken. Kim testified that on Dec. 4 last year, around 1:20 a.m., former President Yoon had a meeting with Minister Kim and Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo and other aides in the Defense Ministry's combat control room.
The prosecution asked former Advisor Kim, "When (at the meeting) former President Yoon asked Minister Kim, 'How many were deployed to the National Assembly?' Minister Kim replied, 'About 500,' and then former President Yoon said, 'See, that's insufficient; we should have sent 1,000,' did that happen?" In response, former Advisor Kim said, "I heard that did occur."
Later, during cross-examination, former President Yoon's attorney asked former Advisor Kim, "Regarding whether former President Yoon said 'We should have sent 1,000,' Minister Kim said, 'That is not true,' how do you explain that, given it's contrary to the witness's statement?" Former Advisor Kim replied, "I only testified about what I saw and heard."
Meanwhile, this trial was the first to take place after the appointment of the 'three major special prosecutors' investigating the insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, and the deceased Marine incident. As former President Yoon entered the courthouse around 10 a.m., he was met with reporters' questions such as, "What do you think of the appointment of Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok?" and "If summoned by the special prosecutors, will you respond?" but remained silent. Special Prosecutor Jo (19th Judicial Research and Training Institute) had served as Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office when former President Yoon (23rd) was the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. They also worked together at the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office, albeit in different capacities.