Why is Former South Korean President Yoon Absent from His Insurrection Trial for the Ninth Time?
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Synopsis
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's absence from his insurrection trial raises eyebrows as he misses his ninth consecutive session. With special counsel urging quicker proceedings, the situation intensifies. What does this mean for the ongoing trial and the former leader's future?
Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk Yeol has missed his trial for the ninth consecutive session.
- The special counsel is pushing for four hearings a week.
- He faces serious charges related to an attempted imposition of martial law.
- The trial can continue without him due to the Criminal Procedure Code.
- The court plans to conclude proceedings by December.
Seoul, Sep 15 (NationPress) Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was notably absent from his insurrection trial for the ninth consecutive session this Monday, as a special counsel team urged the court to accelerate proceedings by scheduling four hearings a week.
Yoon is facing trial for accusations of leading an insurrection and misusing his authority during his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law in December.
Since his second custody placement on July 10, related to the martial law issue, he has opted not to attend the trial.
The bench managing the trial at the Seoul Central District Court stated, "The defendant has voluntarily chosen not to appear today once again. We will continue the trial in absentia since the Seoul Detention Center has communicated that it is impossible to bring him in by force."
According to the Criminal Procedure Code, a trial can proceed without the defendant if he declines to attend without valid reasons, and if it is deemed impossible or excessively difficult for a prison official to bring him by force, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The special counsel, led by Cho Eun-suk, who is investigating the martial law case, has requested the court to expedite the process by holding four hearings weekly, following the merger of Yoon's trial with those of senior police officials involved in enforcing the decree.
During last week’s hearing, the court indicated its intention to conclude proceedings by December after combining the insurrection trials of Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and police chief Cho Ji-ho.
Point of View
I believe it is crucial to maintain an impartial stance. The developments surrounding former President Yoon's trial reflect significant legal and political challenges that demand our attention, and we will continue to report on this matter with integrity and thoroughness.
NationPress
04/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Yoon Suk Yeol absent from his trial?
Yoon Suk Yeol has chosen not to attend his trial since his second custody placement on July 10, related to charges concerning a failed martial law attempt.
What are the charges against Yoon Suk Yeol?
Yoon faces charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power during an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.
How many hearings per week is the counsel requesting?
The special counsel has requested the court to hold four hearings per week to expedite the trial process.
What is the current status of the trial?
The trial is ongoing, and the court aims to conclude proceedings by December after merging Yoon's trial with those of other officials involved.
What does 'trial in absentia' mean?
A trial in absentia refers to proceeding with legal proceedings without the defendant present, under specific circumstances as outlined in the Criminal Procedure Code.
