South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will not attend the initial hearing of his impeachment trial next week due to safety concerns, his lawyer stated on Sunday.
Since his impeachment last month, Yoon has remained confined to the presidential residence under the protection of an elite guard force. The suspension followed a brief declaration of martial law that plunged the nation into political turmoil.
Yoon has declined meetings with investigators and prosecutors, and earlier this month, his presidential guard foiled an arrest attempt during a tense standoff.
The Constitutional Court has scheduled five trial sessions between January 14 and February 4, which will proceed in his absence if necessary.
“Concerns about safety and potential incidents have arisen. Therefore, the President will not attend the trial on 14 January,” his lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, said in a statement to AFP.
The court will determine whether to uphold his impeachment or reinstate him as president.
Investigators, meanwhile, are preparing another attempt to arrest Yoon on insurrection charges linked to his martial law declaration. His legal team has labelled both the initial and current arrest warrants as “unlawful.”
The political crisis has sparked daily rival protests in Seoul, with demonstrators either opposing or supporting Yoon’s impeachment. On Sunday, rival groups gathered outside Yoon’s residence and across the capital.
If arrested, Yoon would be the first sitting South Korean president to face detention. A conviction could result in a prison sentence or even the death penalty.
Authorities are reportedly mobilising 1,000 personnel for the next arrest attempt, with the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) warning that anyone obstructing their efforts may also face detention.
The crisis has bolstered Yoon’s ruling People Power Party, whose approval ratings have risen to 34%, up from 24% three weeks prior, according to a recent Gallup survey.
