S.Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol to miss impeachment trial over safety concerns
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The lawyer for the suspended president claimed that concerns about "possible incidents" have emerged after an attempted arrest at his residence was thwarted.
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An image depicting an imprisoned South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is displayed during a rally to demand his impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on December 13, 2024 (AP)
South Korea's suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will miss the first session of his impeachment trial next week due to safety concerns, according to his lawyer. Since his suspension and impeachment last month following a brief martial law declaration that caused political turmoil, Yoon has remained at the presidential residence, guarded by an elite force.
Yoon has refused to cooperate with prosecutors and investigators, and earlier this month, his presidential guard successfully thwarted an arrest attempt after a tense standoff. The constitutional court has set five trial dates between January 14 and February 4, and the proceedings will continue in his absence if he does not attend.
“Concerns about safety and potential incidents have arisen. Therefore, the president will not be able to attend the trial on 14 January,” said Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, in a statement on Sunday. “The president is willing to appear at any time once safety issues are resolved.”
The court will decide whether to uphold the impeachment or reinstate Yoon.
Meanwhile, investigators aiming to question Yoon on charges of insurrection related to his failed martial law declaration are preparing for another arrest attempt. If they succeed, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. Conviction on insurrection charges could result in prison or even the death penalty.
Yoon’s legal team has stated that his guards remain on “high alert".
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A team from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police are making preparations for the next attempt, which they have indicated could be their final one. The CIO has warned that anyone obstructing the attempt may face detention, and police commanders have reportedly met to strategize the renewed effort.
Park Chong-jun, the former chief of Yoon’s presidential guard, who resigned on Friday, said no bloodshed should occur during the next arrest attempt.
The National Office of Investigation, a police unit, has requested that high-ranking officials in Seoul prepare to mobilize 1,000 investigators for the new operation, according to Yonhap news agency.
In the meantime, protests both for and against Yoon have occurred regularly in Seoul since the crisis began.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, Yoon’s ruling party has seen a rise in approval ratings. A recent Gallup poll published on Friday shows the People Power party's approval has increased to 34%, up from 24% three weeks ago.
