Seoul: South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the initial formal hearing of his impeachment trial, citing safety concerns, according to his lawyer. The Constitutional Court is set to convene on Tuesday to deliberate on whether Yoon will be removed from office or reinstated, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, raised serious concerns about the safety risks posed by law enforcement’s attempts to arrest the president in connection with a separate case. This case involves Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law in December, a move that triggered South Korea’s most significant political crisis in decades.
“The officials in the Corruption Investigation Office and the police are trying to execute illegal and invalid arrest warrants through illegal methods, raising concerns about personal safety and mishaps,” Yoon Kab-keun was quoted as saying. “In order for the president to appear for the trial, the issue of personal safety and security must be resolved.”
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Failed Arrest Efforts Escalate Tensions
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) attempted to arrest Yoon on January 3, but the effort was thwarted after a prolonged standoff with security personnel at Yoon’s fortified residence in central Seoul. This marked a new escalation in the legal and political standoff surrounding the embattled leader.
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The failed imposition of martial law in early December not only intensified political divisions but also dealt a blow to South Korea’s economic growth projections. As Asia’s fourth-largest economy faces mounting challenges, the impeachment proceedings further underscore the nation’s turbulent political landscape.
