Former Prosecutor General Sim Woojeong Appears as Witness in Park Sungjae Sedition Trial... Refuses to Testify

Court Aims for Verdict in May

On March 12, former Prosecutor General Sim Woojeong appeared as a witness in the sedition trial of former Justice Minister Park Sungjae, but refused to testify.

On this day, the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan) held a continued trial for the case of former Minister Park, who has been indicted on charges of participating in key duties related to sedition. Former Prosecutor General Sim appeared as a witness. However, Sim refused to testify, citing Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act, on the grounds that he is currently under investigation for charges related to participating in key duties in connection with sedition.

After taking the witness oath, Sim was questioned by the special prosecutor’s team about whether he had spoken with former Minister Park during the 12·3 Martial Law, and whether any instructions regarding the dispatch of prosecutors were discussed during the call. However, he did not answer. Sim also refused to testify during cross-examination by Park's defense team.

Yonhap News Agency

The court stated, "We aim to conclude the pleadings in April and deliver a verdict in May," and requested both the special prosecutor’s team and the defense to submit witness applications in advance.

Sim has been accused of not filing an ‘immediate appeal,’ which is the procedure to contest Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun’s decision to dismiss the arrest of former President Yoon Sukyeol. Subsequently, he was investigated by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok’s sedition team, and the case was transferred to the National Office of Investigation at the Korean National Police Agency.

Former Minister Park is accused of convening a meeting of directors and bureau chiefs at the Ministry of Justice immediately after the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, to consider dispatching prosecutors to the Joint Investigation Headquarters, reviewing the capacity of correctional facilities, and instructing staff responsible for exit bans to report for duty. These actions are alleged to constitute participation in former President Yoon Sukyeol’s sedition crimes. He is also accused of receiving inquiries from First Lady Kim Keonhee regarding the formation of a dedicated prosecution investigation team and instructing subordinates to confirm and report on this matter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.