This image of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Nov. 29, 2024, is provided by the ministry. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 20 (Korea Bizwire) – A Seoul court said Friday it will hold a hearing next week to determine whether to extend the arrest of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived imposition of martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court said the hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday before deciding whether to issue a new arrest warrant for Kim, who has been in custody since December and standing trial on charges of insurrection in connection with the martial law attempt.
A new warrant was requested by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk earlier this week as the current six-month detention period for Kim is set to expire next Thursday, granting him unconditional release.
As the same charges cannot be used to justify continued detention, Cho said he has indicted Kim on new charges of obstruction of official duties and abetting the destruction of evidence.
Kim’s side filed for a change of the hearing date soon after it was announced.
“The hearing should proceed after the lawful delivery of the indictment and inspection of recorded evidence,” it said.
(Yonhap)
