The trial of Yeo In-hyung, the former chief of South Korea's military intelligence agency, has commenced amid allegations that he created a "blacklist" to assess the political inclinations of military generals and legal officers during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
On September 10, the 32nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ryu Kyung-jin, held the first preparatory hearing for Yeo, who is charged with abuse of power. Yeo did not attend the hearing, as defendants are not required to be present.
The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, stated that while serving as the head of the military intelligence agency, Yeo allegedly abused his authority to instruct subordinates to collect military personnel information and assess the political inclinations of military legal officers.
According to the special prosecutor's office, starting in late April 2023, Yeo directed the then-head of the military intelligence agency's security office to investigate whether there were any progressive individuals among military legal officers.
He is also accused of directing the preparation of personnel data on 59 reserve officers with experience at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for the purpose of providing it to the Presidential Security Service. The special prosecutor's office has applied charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act, alleging that Yeo used personal information held by the military intelligence agency for personnel verification without legal grounds.
Investigations revealed that Yeo ordered the identification of military personnel with connections to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo, fearing that military secrets could be leaked to Kim's office. Subordinates reportedly created 16 personnel verification documents using the military intelligence agency's information systems and intelligence to assess the positions and promotions of these individuals.
These documents are said to include details about former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook's service as a military legal officer and a list of over 30 legal officers with ties to him. Yeo is also accused of directing the collection of personal information and career details, including political inclinations, of 25 legal officers, some of whom were military judges.
Yeo's legal team stated, "We will review the evidence records in consultation with the special prosecutor's office starting on the 28th and will clarify our position on the charges afterward." The court plans to hold another preparatory hearing on October 22 to discuss evidence examination and future trial plans.
The special investigation team indicted Yeo without detention on August 14. He is also facing trial for allegedly ordering the deployment of troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during the December 3 emergency martial law and for directing the arrest of key political figures. The insurrection special investigation team has sought a 30-year prison sentence, with the first trial verdict scheduled for September 21.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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