Ex-justice minister denies all charges in insurrection trial

▲ Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae (C) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 26, 2026, to attend his trial on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

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Ex-justice minister denies all charges in insurrection trial

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae on Monday denied all charges at his trial over allegations he played a key role in an insurrection during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in 2024.

Park's legal team made the case during the first hearing of his trial at the Seoul Central District Court after special counsel Cho Eun-suk indicted him last month over his alleged role in Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.

"At the time of the martial law declaration, the defendant actively opposed (it) as a member of the Cabinet," Park's defense said. "Ultimately, (he) failed to dissuade Yoon, and he feels profound remorse toward the people and a sense of deep shame for causing confusion to the constitutional order."

The team claimed Park was unaware of Yoon's plan to impose martial law and only discussed his role as a minister to prevent confusion under martial law, rejecting the special counsel's claim that he supported the declaration.

Park is accused of actively participating in Yoon's imposition of martial law by convening a meeting of senior ministry officials, ordering the possible dispatch of prosecutors to a martial law-related organ, among other allegations.

Park's defense also denied allegations that the former minister violated a law banning improper solicitation by acting on a request from Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, to help clear her of various criminal charges.

The hearing took place after the special counsel team demanded the death penalty for Yoon earlier this month on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed martial law attempt. The verdict for that trial will be made Feb. 19.

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