section_path: Trial of Kim Yong-hyun
section_name: Trial of Kim Yong-hyun
paragraph_text: Trial of Kim Yong-hyun
  
  Kim Yong-hyun's trial on charges of insurrection began on 27 March, with a total of six witness examinations. Kim's trial is being shared along with former commander Roh Sang-won and former Colonel Kim Yong-gun. Over the following two months, five more hearings were held with the three, however these hearings were kept private as they were charged in connection with key insurrection-related duties. The fifth hearing was scheduled for 23 May. On 28 May, Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, who was assigned the trial case, announced that Kim's trial would now be publicized; "to ensure transparency and uphold the rule of law in handling serious charges such as insurrection." On 4 June, Kim submitted a withdrawal request to the court, however he withdrew it later that day.
  
  On 9 June, the court announced they were considering additionally charging Kim, along with former Army Intelligence Command Chief Roh Sang-won, with tampering with evidence after it was discovered that on 5 December 2024, Roh gave Kim a secret burner cellphone device, who initialized it before returning it to Roh. It was also discovered that Kim continued to use a different burner cellphone until his arrest. Prosecutors believe Roh and Kim may have used these devices to contact prosecution officials. They were also considering indicting Kim on suspicion of bribery, illegal provision of a secret cellphone, and suspicion of military blacklist; as well as threats of violence for ordering court justices to be "punished" in a prison letter he wrote in March. The court also confirmed that Kim was second-in-command of the martial law order.
  
  On 14 June, the court decided they were going to offer to release Kim on bail of 100 million won and a written pledge to not destroy evidence or flee overseas. Under South Korean law, Kim's detention period would expire on 27 June, six months after his indictment. He would be free without any restrictions if the court released him after the detention period expired, with his detention period only being extended if he was additionally indicted on other charges. Upon release, Kim would be prohibited from meeting or communicating with people involved in the martial law case, from leaving his home address, and from using cellphone devices or email. If said restrictions were violated, Kim would be re-arrested.
  
  On 16 June, Kim rejected the bail offer and filed an appeal to the court. He argued that conditional release against his will right before the expiration of the detention period was "effectively another form of detention that restricts personal freedom." On 19 June, Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok received investigation records regarding suspicion of obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. As a result, Cho additionally indicted Kim on the two charges, a decision Kim claimed was "illegal." On 20 June, the court confirmed Kim will undergo a separate trial for these charges.
  
  As well as Yoon, Kim faces the death penalty or life imprisonment if found guilty.