President Yoon Seok-yeol Photo: Getty images
South Korean President Yun Sook-young will not appear at the first official hearing of the Constitutional Court in his impeachment case. According to Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Hap-gyun, this decision is due to fears for the personal safety of the head of state, Yonhap reports.
“Due to the ongoing attempts to execute the illegal and invalid arrest warrant for the President, we are concerned about his safety and possible provocations,” the lawyer said. He added that the President’s participation in court hearings is possible only after the issue of his safety is resolved.
The situation with impeachment
South Korea’s Constitutional Court will begin oral arguments in the impeachment case on 14 January, with five hearings scheduled until 4 February. If Yun Seok-yol fails to appear at the first hearing, it may be postponed to 18 January. At the same time, subsequent hearings may already be held without the president’s personal presence.
Yoon had previously ignored summonses to appear in court, barricading himself in his villa after the authorities made their first attempt to arrest him. The president’s lawyers assure that he is ready to appear before the court “at the appropriate time” to explain his actions, including the declaration of martial law.
Yun Seok-yol is at the epicentre of a constitutional crisis following his impeachment by parliament and accusations of abuse of power. This situation has already caused political tension in the country, and the court’s decision will be crucial for the president’s future.
