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| ▲ Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, in this file photo taken July 31, 2025. (Yonhap) |
court-ex-interior minister
Court holds first hearing of ex-interior minister's trial over martial law role
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Friday held the first hearing of former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's trial over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law.
The hearing began at the Seoul Central District Court after Lee was indicted while in detention earlier this year on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abuse of power and perjury in connection to Yoon's martial law attempt in December.
Lee entered the courtroom dressed in a navy suit with his inmate number badge before identifying himself to the bench and declining a jury trial.
The hearing is set to hear the charges the former minister faces and his team's response.
The bench allowed the media to take footage of the hearing, which will be broadcast online after being edited to remove personal information.
Lee is accused of aiding and abetting the martial law imposition by not actively stopping Yoon from illegally declaring the decree.
He is also suspected of instructing the police and fire agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration.
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