South Korean President Yun Seok-Yeol will not attend the first day of her impeachment trial this week, her lawyer said, citing concerns for the suspended president's safety.
In a statement reported by South Korea's Yonhap news agency, Yoon's lawyer, Yoon Gap-geun, said, “We are concerned about his safety and accidents as attempts are underway to illegally execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant.” “It will be done,” he said.
“For the president to appear in court, personal safety and security issues must be resolved,” Yun continued.
The first day of Yun's impeachment trial is scheduled for Tuesday. Five public hearings are scheduled until February 4th. According to Yonhap News Agency, if Yoon does not appear in court on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court will have to end its session and convene a second hearing on Thursday, which will continue even if Yoon remains in office. It is said that there is a possibility. absence.
The case is separate from efforts by investigators to detain the impeached president for questioning related to martial law.
Earlier this month, investigators attempted to detain Yoon for questioning, but the effort ultimately failed due to a long-running conflict with the Presidential Security Bureau, which protects Yoon at the presidential palace, Yonhap News and the Guardian reported. reported.
Investigators are widely expected to try to detain Mr. Yoon again after obtaining a warrant extension last week.
South Korea's parliament voted to impeach Yoon last month after he briefly declared martial law, plunging the country into chaos.
After declaring martial law, Yun apologized. This is the first time martial law has been declared in the country since 1980. The action angered the public and lawmakers, who blocked the declaration of martial law. He was impeached with bipartisan support.
