Park Sung‑jae Denies Insurrection Role in Jan 26 2026 Trial
Updated (2 articles)
Park Appears Before Seoul Central District Court On January 26 2026, former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae entered the Seoul Central District Court for his first hearing and categorically denied all accusations that he aided President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s December 3 2024 martial‑law attempt, which prosecutors label an insurrection [1]. The court session marked the opening of a high‑profile trial that follows special counsel Cho Eun‑suk’s indictment of Park last month [1]. Park’s denial was delivered alongside his expression of “profound remorse and shame” for the constitutional confusion surrounding the 2024 episode [1].
Defense Argues Opposition to 2024 Martial‑Law Declaration Park’s legal team contended that, while serving as Justice Minister, he actively opposed the martial‑law decree and unsuccessfully tried to persuade President Yoon to rescind it [1]. Lawyers emphasized his internal dissent and assert that he was never a supporter of the emergency measure [1]. The defense highlighted his remorse as evidence of non‑participation in the alleged insurrection [1].
Prosecutors Accuse Park of Facilitating Martial‑Law Implementation The indictment alleges Park convened senior ministry officials, ordered the possible dispatch of prosecutors to a martial‑law‑related organ, and otherwise helped operationalize Yoon’s emergency plan [1]. Prosecutors also claim he acted on a request from First Lady Kim Keon Hee to clear her of criminal charges, violating statutes against improper solicitation [1]. These actions form the core of the insurrection charge brought against him [1].
Broader Legal Context Includes Death‑Penalty Pursuit for Yoon Earlier in January, the same special counsel sought the death penalty for former President Yoon on separate insurrection charges tied to the failed martial‑law bid, with a verdict scheduled for February 19 2026 [1]. Park’s trial proceeds amid ongoing political fallout from the botched December 2024 declaration, reflecting a series of prosecutions stemming from that episode [1]. The case underscores the extensive judicial scrutiny of officials linked to the 2024 crisis [1].
Timeline
Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk‑Yeol issues a brief martial‑law declaration, a move prosecutors later label a “botched” attempt to seize emergency powers and that triggers a constitutional crisis [1][2].
Dec 2024 – The National Assembly impeaches President Yoon, prompting a scramble among senior officials to fill vacant Constitutional Court seats; former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo and former Finance Minister Choi Sang‑mok later face separate indictments for failing to appoint justices [2].
Dec 11, 2025 – A special‑counsel team led by Cho Eun‑suk indicts former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae on insurrection charges, accusing him of convening senior ministry officials, ordering possible prosecutor deployments, directing correctional‑service capacity checks, and placing immigration officials on standby to enforce travel bans after the December 2024 martial‑law decree [2].
Dec 11, 2025 – The indictment also alleges Park abused his authority to draft documents justifying martial law and acted on First Lady Kim Keon‑Hee’s request to clear her of criminal charges, violating the ban on improper solicitation; two arrest‑warrant requests are rejected, so prosecutors proceed without detaining him [2].
Early Jan 2026 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk seeks the death penalty for former President Yoon on separate insurrection charges tied to the failed martial‑law bid, with a verdict slated for Feb 19, 2026, underscoring the expanding legal fallout from the 2024 episode [1].
Jan 26, 2026 – At the Seoul Central District Court, Park Sung‑jae denies all accusations, asserting he “opposed the martial‑law declaration” as a cabinet member, felt “profound remorse and shame” for the constitutional confusion, and rejects claims he aided First Lady Kim Keon‑Hee, while prosecutors maintain he facilitated the martial‑law implementation and solicited improper favors [1].