inside the Seoul High Court and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to an investigator at Seocho district police station.Authorities said there were no immediate signs of foul play. Local media reported the possibility of a suicide note, but police said none had been confirmed.

Shin last month presided over the appeal trial of Kim, 53, overturning parts of a lower court ruling and increasing her sentence to four years from 20 months after finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.

In his ruling, Shin said Kim had “failed to acknowledge her culpability” and had relied on excuses, justifying the harsher sentence.

Police said the judge’s family had requested privacy following the incident, adding that an investigation into the circumstances of his death was ongoing.

The case, being heard at the Seoul Central District Court, is part of a series of legal proceedings against Yoon following his removal from office last year after a brief imposition of martial law that triggered political turmoil in the country.

Prosecutors allege the drone operation heightened military tensions with North Korea and risked exposing sensitive information about South Korea’s military capabilities after one of the drones crashed.

The charges include benefiting the enemy, a provision that can apply even without direct coordination if national security interests are harmed.

Yoon has denied the allegations, with his legal team stating he did not take any action that could provoke a military confrontation with North Korea.

The trial is one of eight cases currently involving Yoon, reflecting the legal fallout from his presidency and the controversial martial law declaration. The court is expected to issue a ruling at a later date.