South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial was adjourned after he failed to attend the Constitutional Court on Tuesday. The trial, which must be completed within 180 days, will proceed without Yoon if he does not appear, according to acting chief justice Moon Hyung-bae.
Yoon faces a criminal investigation for allegedly inciting insurrection and has ignored summons to appear for questioning. His lawyer claims that the arrest warrant against him is invalid.
The president’s declaration of martial law in December was withdrawn after six hours, plunging South Korea into unprecedented political turbulence. Authorities have proposed alternative arrangements to avoid clashes during the execution of the arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, North Korea launched missiles amid the country’s growing instability. The launches coincide with a visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and come just days before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trial-south-koreas-impeached-president-yoon-set-begin-2025-01-13