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Former President Yoon Suk-yeol remarked, “It was not a scenario for discussing state matters,” when addressing a court testimony from former Special Forces Commander Kwak Jong-geun. Kwak recalled hearing the phrase “emergency powers” during a meeting at the presidential residence on the evening of October 1 last year, which coincided with National Armed Forces Day. Yoon maintained that the circumstances did not justify bringing up potential emergency martial law implications.

On the 3rd, during a hearing at Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25 (led by Judge Jee Kui-youn), Yoon responded to accusations of being the “insurrection leader” and talked about the meeting that took place at the presidential residence following the National Armed Forces Day event. He asked if Kwak had called some officers for an “impromptu meeting” to motivate them after they returned to their units. Yoon said, “Didn’t they go to the restaurant in the residential area of the presidential office? They arrived after 8 p.m., and as soon as they sat down, didn’t they start passing around soju-bomb cocktails?”

In reply, Kwak stated, “I typically consumed about 10 to 20 glasses, that’s how much I had,” and emphasized, “I clearly remember hearing those comments regarding emergency powers at that time.” When Yoon interjected, asking, “Don’t you remember when I went to the fridge to get side dishes when we ran out while drinking?” Kwak answered, “I definitely remember. There was kimchi,” and further mentioned, “I remember taking some once because the kimchi tasted good.”

Yoon then said, “Is National Armed Forces Day the soldiers’ birthday?” and added, “I thought it would be uncomfortable to let the evening go by without doing anything, so I invited many people, but some couldn’t make it, so I asked a few of them to a restaurant in the residential complex.” He went on, “That wasn’t a setting for discussing government matters, was it?”

Kwak replied, “Now that you’ve brought it up, I’ll share what I’ve kept silent about,” and stated, “You definitely referred to Han Dong-hoon.” Yoon interjected again, saying, “Didn’t I often talk about state operations or similar issues?” Kwak continued, “You mentioned Han Dong-hoon and several politicians, instructing them to be summoned before you. You said you would kill them even with a gun.” He added, “I recall you talking about emergency powers.” Yoon laughed, and his attorney commented, “He’s making several new claims. I don’t understand why he didn’t mention this during earlier investigations.”