The trial for People Power Party lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho on charges related to martial law began with its first preparatory hearing on December 24 at the Seoul Central District Court. The special counsel team indicted him for aiding former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. The proceedings aim for swift resolution given public interest.
The Seoul Central District Court opened the first preparatory hearing on December 24 for People Power Party Representative Choo Kyung-ho, charged with insurrection related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration. Prosecutors allege that on the night of December 3, 2024, Choo, then the party's floor leader, shifted the location of an emergency party meeting three times—between the National Assembly and party headquarters—thwarting lawmakers' attendance at a vote to lift the decree.
This disruption meant 90 out of 108 PPP lawmakers missed the parliamentary session, allowing the martial law to be rescinded only hours after imposition. In the indictment, the special counsel team stated, "The floor leader, with the largest responsibility for parliamentary operations, was the only person who was quickly able to break the will of former President Yoon to maintain martial law." They added, "Even after witnessing the violation of people's basic rights and the National Assembly being trampled by armed troops, he took no action."
Choo did not attend the hearing, as his presence was not mandatory. His legal team argued they could not yet state their position, having been denied access to key documents until recently, and requested time until early February to review the records. The special counsel, emphasizing public interest, sought a prompt trial but agreed to another preparatory session, set by the court for February 9. An earlier arrest warrant request was rejected.
The case stems from the political fallout of Yoon's martial law attempt, with high stakes for South Korea's legislative accountability.
