Will Yeo In-hyung's Testimony Be a Decisive Factor in Lee Jae-myung's Insurrection Trial?

Yeo In-hyung, former commander of the Defense Security Command, is taking center stage in the trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection. The court is expected to thoroughly examine the facts surrounding the alleged martial law declaration plan. The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement Division 25 plans to examine the specifics of the martial law-related plan, its implementation process, and the background behind the order to arrest and detain key figures through the witness questioning of former Commander Yeo In-hyung.

Yeo is expected to testify about internal military discussions regarding the declaration of martial law, presidential directives, and details of the implementation plan. Furthermore, key issues expected to surface include the criteria for selecting individuals to be arrested and detained, the legality of the arrest process, and potential human rights violations during the detention period.

The court plans to clarify these issues through Yeo's testimony and secure a basis for judging former President Yoon Suk-yeol's insurrection charges. Yeo In-hyung's testimony could be crucial evidence either proving or refuting the charges against Yoon. The direction of the trial could shift depending on the content of his testimony.

In addition to Yeo In-hyung's testimony, the court plans to comprehensively review testimonies from relevant individuals, documents recording the situation at the time, and other evidentiary materials to make a final judgment on the insurrection charges against former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court plans to conclude the arguments in early to mid-January and deliver the first-instance verdict in mid-February.

Meanwhile, the final hearing for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was indicted on charges of aiding and abetting insurrection during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is scheduled for this week. Han is accused of tacitly approving or aiding and abetting the martial law declaration plan during the Yoon administration, despite being aware of it. His final hearing will involve final arguments regarding these charges, and the court plans to make a final ruling after reviewing the relevant evidence and legal considerations.

The trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on insurrection charges is expected to enter a new phase with Yeo In-hyung's testimony. The determination of whether the charges against Yoon can be substantiated may hinge on the content of Yeo's testimony, which is expected to have a significant impact on the future course of the trial. The court has stated that it will secure Yeo's testimony and various evidentiary materials to uncover the truth of the case. The outcome of the trial is expected to demonstrate the importance of legal judgment and provide an opportunity for rigorous verification of the legality of the exercise of power.