South Korea’s Constitutional Court has suspended the impeachment proceedings against suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol after he failed to appear at the initial hearing today, causing the session to last only four minutes. Yoon remains in his villa in Seoul, protected by the presidential security team.
The South Korean anti-corruption agency previously failed to arrest him. He is accused of abuse of power and inciting rebellion after declaring martial law on December 3, which sidelined parliament and placed the media under military control.
Parliament reversed the state of emergency shortly thereafter and voted for his impeachment mid-December. The Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide on Yoon’s presidency.
If found guilty of leading a rebellion, Yoon could face the death penalty. He claims the opposition, which holds a parliamentary majority, is conspiring with North Korea and disrupting governance, denying the martial law was a coup attempt.
He labeled his arrest warrant “illegal and invalid” and vowed to fight. His lawyer argued the warrant was unjustified and that Yoon would comply if the warrant were properly issued.
The next hearing is set for Thursday, and if Yoon is absent, proceedings will continue with his legal team representing him.
Source: NOS