The trial of former South Korean President Yoon criticized as ”favorable treatment” - what was allowed at the second hearing

The second hearing of former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was indicted on charges of instigating a civil war by declaring "emergency martial law" in December last year, was held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 21st of this month.
Unlike the previous trial, the press was allowed to take photos in the courtroom before the trial began, and Yoon was seen for the first time in his seat in the defendant's seat.
The court can approve requests to take photographs inside the courtroom if the defendant agrees. Even without consent, filming can be allowed if it is deemed appropriate in the public interest.
In the past, former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak were allowed to film at their first hearings, but Yoon's first hearing was not, which is said to be unfair.
Some criticized the move as "preferential treatment." Yoon declared "emergency martial law" for the nation in December last year. Emergency martial law is a type of martial law stipulated in the Korean Constitution. It is used in times of war, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
The president issues orders in emergency situations when military necessity or to maintain public order requires it. The military takes control of administrative and judicial functions and is authorized to restrict freedom of speech, press, and association.
Following the declaration of emergency law for the first time since democratization in 1987, armed soldiers of the martial law army broke the windows and stormed into the National Assembly building. In a scene reminiscent of the military regime,
Many citizens gathered, shouting slogans against martial law and surrounding military vehicles, causing chaos. However, martial law can only be lifted if a majority of members of the National Assembly request it, and the president can only do so.
Immediately after the declaration, a plenary session of the National Assembly was held and all members in attendance voted in favor of lifting the state of emergency. Yoon lifted the state of emergency after just six hours.
However, the declaration of emergency law has caused great political and social unrest, and the opposition party has accused Yoon of insurrection.
Article 87 of the Korean Criminal Code stipulates that if a person riots with the intent of eliminating state power or violating the national constitution, he or she will be punished as a crime of treason. The maximum penalty is the death penalty.
Yoon was indicted on charges of instigating a rebellion. According to the indictment, after declaring martial law in December last year, Yoon sent military troops to the National Assembly to prevent it from passing a resolution calling for the lifting of martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court on the 14th of this month held Yoon's first hearing, where he said that the declaration of "emergency martial law" was "a peaceful act."
He denied the charges, claiming that the attack was intended as a message of warning. The second hearing was held on the 21st. As in the first hearing, the car carrying Yoon entered the underground parking lot, from where Yoon was taken to the district court.
The district court said it was necessary for security reasons. However, just like Yoon, former presidents Park and Lee, who were undergoing criminal trials without being detained, were both on the ground during the trials.
As mentioned above, at the first hearing, the media was not allowed to take photos before the trial began.
Lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea criticized the trial, saying, "The biggest victims of civil war are the people. Who is a trial that is being held in closed doors and where the victims, the people, do not know anything?"
At the second hearing on the 21st, the district court allowed the press to take photographs. It said it had taken into consideration the public's interest, the right to know, and similar cases in the past.
The reason for the decision was that the media organization's application was late, and the defendant's opinion could not be heard. However, as mentioned above, according to the Korean media,
Even without the above, if the filming is deemed appropriate in light of the public interest, the presiding judge may permit it.
Yoon was shown in the media for the first time, sitting in the defendant's seat with a calm expression on his face.