Supreme Court to create dedicated tribunal for insurrection, treason charges

Flags in front of the Supreme Court building in Seoul / Yonhap

The Supreme Court said Thursday it would install a dedicated tribunal to handle charges of insurrection, treason and mutiny amid the ruling party's push to create a special bench for insurrection cases stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law.

The announcement comes as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has been pushing for a bill to establish the special insurrection tribunal despite criticism it could be unconstitutional, citing perceived delays and unfairness in the trials of those implicated in the martial law case.

Earlier in the day, the DPK said it would introduce the bill at the National Assembly next Tuesday, with a vote expected to take place the next day.

The National Court Administration (NCA) under the Supreme Court said it decided to establish guidelines for the new tribunal on "cases of national importance" in consideration of their urgency and importance.

The dedicated tribunal is designed to handle insurrection, treason and rebellion under military law cases deemed to have great political, economic and social impact.

The new tribunal, which appears to be the judiciary's alternative to the special bench sought by the DPK, will handle cases filed for trial after the guidelines take effect, following a notice period of at least 10 days.

The tribunal is expected to apply to current ongoing insurrection and treason cases once they reach the appellate court.

"The guidelines are designed to resolve concerns from the people and the National Assembly on the swift and fair proceedings of trials of national importance," an NCA official said.

The move comes after representative judges of courts nationwide raised concerns earlier this month over the DPK-led bill, saying the move could undermine the independence of the judicial system.

Yoon and multiple former government officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, are currently on trial for insurrection over their involvement in the ousted former president's botched martial law bid.