The second court hearing for former Justice Minister Park Seong-jae took place recently at the Seoul Central District Court, where Judge Lee Jin-gwan confronted him with pointed questions regarding his stance on the controversial military coup that occurred on December 3rd. The judge notably inquired whether Park indeed opposed the martial law, to which Park responded ambiguously, hinting at conflicting perceptions of his actions during the crisis. He mentioned discussions he had with former President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding the martial law while defending himself against claims of having a passive role in the proceedings at the time.

Further probing from Judge Lee sought clarity on why Park opposed the martial law and whether its declaration met legal requirements, stressing the importance of understanding Park's knowledge of the lawfulness surrounding the actions taken during that period. Park admitted in court that considering significant press coverage surrounding similar treason-related trials led him to believe there had indeed been some legal missteps regarding the martial law issued. This acknowledgment suggests a considerable weight of public and legal scrutiny on Park’s decisions as Justice Minister during that tumultuous time.

Testimony was also provided by Ryu Hyuk, a former inspector of the Ministry of Justice, who recounted his quick resignation on the same day martial law was instituted, stating his unwillingness to adhere to orders stemming from the coup. Ryu's testimony highlighted the division and the ethical dilemmas faced by government officials in the wake of martial law, emphasizing that despite extreme political opposition, martial law was an untenable measure. His brief presence in the meeting cast doubt on whether Park was involved in directing subsequent actions after the martial law was announced, illustrating broader tensions within the government during this crucial period.