Hwang Kyo-ahn denies all charges at first trial hearing, says posts 'weren't written by me'

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation party, denied all charges at the opening hearing of his trial on insurrection incitement charges Wednesday — the first court session held roughly seven months after his indictment, following delays caused by motions to disqualify judges.

At the hearing before Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 35, presided over by Chief Judge Baek Dae-hyeon, Hwang's defense argued that he had posted on social media based only on fragmentary information, without prior knowledge of the emergency martial law declaration or any coordination with Cabinet members. The defense said it was "difficult to conclude that he had the intent or purpose of realizing the subversion of constitutional order."

Hwang also denied a separate charge that he mobilized supporters through a YouTube post reading "Emergency! Crisis! Everyone come out!" to obstruct a search and seizure operation by the special prosecutor's team in November 2024. His defense said he sometimes delegated management of his social media accounts to party staff, meaning some posts were not written by him directly. When the court pointed to a first-person post stating "The special prosecutor's search and seizure warrant against me is illegal," Hwang said it was "written as if I had written it."

Hwang was indicted without detention last December on insurrection incitement charges after he posted messages supporting the emergency martial law declaration made by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 3, 2024. The special prosecutor's team believes Hwang was in contact with Kim Ju-hyeon, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and used that channel to monitor the situation inside the presidential office.

Hwang also faces charges of obstructing the execution of a search warrant at his home — allegedly locking his door and rallying supporters to prevent investigators from entering. The court plans to summon Kim and other witnesses for questioning at the next hearing.