Shim Woo-jung, the former Prosecutor General, has denied all charges against her during the first court hearing related to her alleged involvement in the dispatch of prosecutors during the December 3 martial law and the abandonment of an appeal against the cancellation of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention.
The 38th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judges Choi Young-gak, Jang Sung-jin, and Jeong Soo-young, held the first preparatory hearing on September 30 for the case involving Shim and Jeon Mu-gon, the former head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Planning and Coordination Department, who are charged with engaging in important insurrection duties and abuse of authority.
Shim's attorney stated, "We completely deny the charges," in response to the court's inquiry about the acknowledgment of the charges. Jeon’s legal team also rejected all allegations.
Both sides indicated they are currently reviewing extensive evidence and will provide specific rebuttals at a later date. Shim's team noted that there are over 1,000 pieces of evidence requiring time for review and written submission. Jeon’s team mentioned that the records, including annexes, amount to approximately 40,000 pages, necessitating further examination.
Jeon’s legal team requested clarification on the specific actions related to the charge of engaging in important insurrection duties. They sought to understand whether all three actions cited in the charges were implicated or if responsibility was only being assigned for some. The special prosecution team responded that they would clarify this in due course.
The court scheduled the next preparatory hearing for October 23 at 2 PM. Both legal teams are required to submit opinions by October 20 regarding the nature of the charges, the admissibility of key evidence, and any witnesses that may require examination. The special prosecution team is also tasked with reviewing the defense's opinions to determine which witnesses to summon and the expected duration of their testimonies.
Preparatory hearings are procedural steps to outline issues and evidence plans before the main trial, and attendance by the defendants is not mandatory. Neither defendant appeared in court on this day.
Shim is accused of organizing the procedures for dispatching prosecutors to the Joint Investigation Headquarters of the Martial Law Command under the direction of former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae from the moment martial law was declared on December 3, 2024, until the early hours of the following day.
The second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, believes that Shim directed the preparation of documents regarding the jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting those who violated the proclamation and considered forming an internal dedicated investigation team. This is seen as her engagement in important insurrection duties and abuse of authority by compelling prosecutors affiliated with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to perform unnecessary tasks.
Shim is also charged with abuse of authority for directing the abandonment of the appeal and the release of Yoon after a court accepted his request for cancellation of detention in March of last year. The special prosecution team contends that Shim obstructed the exercise of the immediate appeal rights of the special investigation team prosecutors during this process.
Jeon is accused of conspiring with Shim to review the jurisdiction and procedures for investigating and prosecuting those who violated the proclamation and to prepare and report related documents for prosecutors affiliated with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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