South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has failed to appear at the constitutional court hearing in his impeachment trial. The hearing was adjourned after just a few minutes due to Yoon’s absence.
The court will consider whether Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3 was constitutional and if it constitutes insurrection. The justices have about five months to decide Yoon’s fate, with the deadline for their ruling set at 180 days from December 14.
Yoon’s absence is not unprecedented, as previous presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye also skipped their trials. However, lawmakers are growing impatient, urging the court to expedite the process.
The court will hear more substantive arguments in its next session on January 16. Yoon’s lawyers have argued for a full examination of what led to his declaration of martial law, which has complicated the legal process.
Separately, police and investigators are preparing another attempt to arrest Yoon, who could face prison or even the death penalty if convicted. Yoon’s guards have reinforced their compound with barbed wire installations to prevent the attempt.
The impeachment trial is a complex process, but lawyers say the facts are not particularly complex, focusing solely on Yoon’s martial law declaration. The court will decide whether Yoon’s actions amount to insurrection and if his declaration was constitutional.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/14/yoon-suk-yeol-impeachment-trial-south-korea-begins-updates-martial-law