Yoon Suk-yeol's defense team lawyer Yoon Gap-geun (right) protested in front of the court immediately after the sentencing by the Criminal Sentence Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) of the Seoul Central District Court on the 19th, stating, "This is a ruling that has ignored the clearly revealed truth, the constitution, and the legal principles and rules of evidence stipulated in the Code of Criminal Procedure." Next to him is lawyer Kim Gye-ri. [Photo = SBS News Capture]

Supporters are watching a live broadcast of the first trial sentencing for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was indicted on charges of being the ringleader of sedition related to the December 3 emergency martial law, near the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Photo = Yonhap News]

When the court handed down a life sentence in the first trial for President Yoon Suk-yeol, his defense lawyers strongly protested, calling it "nothing more than a show for a predetermined conclusion."

Yoon's defense team lawyer Yoon Gap-geun protested in front of the court immediately after the sentencing by the Criminal Sentence Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) of the Seoul Central District Court on the 19th, stating, "This is a ruling that has ignored the clearly revealed truth, the constitution, and the legal principles and rules of evidence stipulated in the Code of Criminal Procedure." He added, "If this is a ruling based on the conclusion set by the special prosecutor, were the dozens of trial sessions over the past year merely formalities?"

He further declared, "You cannot cover the sky with your palm. What you are covering is only your own eyes; when clouds overlap, the sun will eventually be revealed."

He also raised his voice, asking, "Why did we have this trial? If the conclusion was already decided, and if it was the conclusion determined by the special prosecutor, couldn't they have just passed sentence without a trial? Seeing today's reality where the criminal procedure of the Republic of Korea, where the law is ignored and judgments are not made in accordance with law and conscience, is collapsing, I have doubts about whether to appeal or to continue participating in such criminal proceedings."

Regarding an appeal, he stated, "We will need to consult with the President and discuss it among the defense lawyers. A ruling that makes conclusions by inferring inner thoughts or based on circumstances, for facts not proven by evidence, is entirely inconsistent with legal principles and the principles of criminal procedure."

Furthermore, in a statement, he expressed his "devastating feelings, unable to even utter the minimal words of respecting the judiciary's judgment." He criticized, "I had hoped that justice, which can never be broken even in a frenzied era stained with lies and propaganda, would be established. However, our judiciary has also knelt before the instigated public opinion and the political power seeking to purge political enemies."

He continued, "The declaration of emergency martial law was a presidential decision to set the Republic of Korea, which was in crisis, back on track. Over the past year of trial and numerous witness testimonies, the truth of the case has been revealed, and it has been objectively proven that the President did not order the obstruction of the National Assembly's vote, yet the court ignored this."

The following is the full statement from President Yoon's defense team.

A Formal Proceeding for a Predetermined Conclusion... Why Did We Have This Trial? It Was Nothing More Than a Show

We are in a devastating state, unable to even utter the minimal words of respecting the judiciary's judgment. We had hoped that justice, which can never be broken even in a frenzied era stained with lies and propaganda, would be established. However, our judiciary has also knelt before the instigated public opinion and the political power seeking to purge political enemies.

Over the past year of trial and numerous witness testimonies, the truth of the case has been revealed. It has been objectively proven that the President did not order the obstruction of the National Assembly's vote, and despite it being a presidential decision to set the Republic of Korea, which was in crisis, back on track, this was ignored.

The commencement of the investigation itself was illegal, and the court turned a blind eye to the flawed investigation and indictment by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which lacked investigative authority. If the intention was to so thoroughly disregard the truth, then why was there a trial at all?

While the judiciary has suspended President Lee Jae-myung's trial and rendered not-guilty verdicts in the trials of influential Democratic Party politicians on the grounds of illegally collected evidence, it was hastily trying to appease public opinion in the case of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, not only on procedural violations but also on substantive judgments. This is a tilted scale and an inconsistent standard.

Perhaps for a short while, the public can be deceived, and cheers can be raised in a trial by public opinion. However, the truth will inevitably be revealed in the court of history. We will never yield to distortion and lies and will fight to the end.

Yoon Suk-yeol Presidential Defense Team