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A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul, appeared in court on the 3rd to give testimony during the trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is accused of charges including assisting in an insurrection. The hearing took place at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 33, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan. Cho mentioned that there were differing opinions among members of the State Council about whether there were issues with the Cabinet meeting that occurred right before the imposition of martial law.

Cho stated that on the day martial law was announced, following a cabinet meeting held before the imposition of martial law, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok strongly questioned Han, asking, “Why didn’t you object? Were you trying to conclude your 50-year public service career?” He also remembered Choi saying to then-Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, “You were originally a yes-man, so you couldn’t say no, right?”

The following day after the imposition of martial law, once the National Assembly had approved a resolution calling for its removal, Han brought together the members of the State Council again. At that moment, Han questioned Cho, “Can we assume that a Cabinet meeting was held?” Cho responded by stating, “I mentioned, ‘I think there was no Cabinet meeting. If we claim there was a meeting, it would lead to procedural problems.’”

Cho further stated, “Former Minister Lee looked at me and countered, ‘There is an issue with the Foreign Minister’s statement.’ I asked, ‘What issue?’ and replied, ‘It doesn’t make sense to claim deliberation took place when the conditions weren’t satisfied.’”

The court intends to question former Minister Lee, former Deputy Prime Minister Choi, and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo on the 5th. On the 10th, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung will be called as witnesses. On the 12th, the court plans to interview former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho as witnesses.