In the ongoing appeals trial of former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for participating in a coup, Lee Sang-min, the former Minister of the Interior, provided critical testimony suggesting that former President Yoon Seok-yeol may not have intended to hold a National Security Council meeting prior to declaring a state of emergency. Lee expressed that, while he cannot know Yoon's thoughts, he suspects that Yoon had no intention of convening the meeting at that time.

During the trial at the Seoul High Court, Lee substantiated his claim by stating that during a prior Cabinet meeting, Han had suggested a meeting was necessary, which reassured the council members who had deep concerns regarding Yoon’s potential imposition of martial law. He clarified that the meeting was intended not to endorse a declaration of martial law, but to consolidate the Cabinet's collective concerns regarding Yoon's actions and to communicate these to the President. This assertion raises questions about the wisdom and legality of Yoon’s decision-making process during a critical juncture in the nation's governance.

The prosecution, which is seeking a different verdict on certain charges against Han, underscored the significance of Lee's testimony, as it may shift perceptions of Yoon Seok-yeol's leadership decisions during the height of political tension. While Han’s defense argued against the conclusions drawn in the first trial regarding his culpability, the implications of Lee's revelations could have serious ramifications for the reputation of Yoon’s administration and the credibility of the prevailing judicial decisions surrounding issues of political accountability and national security.