Synopsis
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has chosen not to attend the Constitutional Court for his impeachment ruling this week, citing public safety concerns. The ruling addresses his controversial martial law declaration made last December, with heightened security measures in place around the court amid ongoing protests.Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend his impeachment ruling.
- The ruling will occur at 11 a.m. on Friday.
- Public safety concerns influenced his decision.
- He denies any wrongdoing regarding the martial law declaration.
- Security measures have been intensified around the court.
Seoul, April 3 (NationPress) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has opted not to be present at the Constitutional Court for his impeachment ruling scheduled for later this week, as stated by his legal team on Thursday.
The Constitutional Court has announced it will issue its ruling on Yoon's impeachment regarding his brief declaration of martial law at 11 a.m. on Friday.
This choice was made considering concerns for public order and safety, as significant congestion is anticipated, according to Yoon's legal representatives.
Currently, Yoon is residing in his home in Seoul.
He was impeached by the National Assembly on grounds of violating the Constitution and laws through his temporary martial law declaration on December 3.
The judgment will be announced from the court, with provisions for live broadcasts and public attendance.
In January, Yoon faced arrest and indictment on charges of criminal rebellion, but he was released from custody last month after a district court in Seoul annulled his arrest, permitting him to stand trial without detention.
Weeks of large protests have occurred in Seoul and other regions, with demonstrators sharply divided over demands for either his removal or reinstatement.
South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo has urged the public to respect the court's decision regarding the impeachment while strongly advising politicians against making inflammatory statements.
In light of escalating safety concerns, police have increased security measures around the court in central Seoul.
The vicinity of the court has been designated a restricted area, with authorities prohibiting gatherings to avert potential confrontations.
On Friday, police plan to implement the highest alert level, Gapho, deploying all available resources to manage the situation.
Yoon has refuted any allegations of misconduct, asserting that the martial law declaration was intended as a caution to the main opposition party for what he labeled as its misuse of legislative power, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
According to the Constitution, the approval of at least six justices is necessary to uphold an impeachment motion, with eight justices currently serving on the Bench.
