Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was absent again from his second trial on martial law-related charges on Friday, officials said. The hearing at the Seoul Central District Court proceeded without his presence, marking the second time he did not appear for the proceedings of the trial after attending its first session last month, which was required by law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk's team earlier indicted Yoon on charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, revising the martial law proclamation, and obstructing his detention by investigators in January. The bench reported that Yoon cited health reasons for his latest non-appearance but determined that he refused to appear without valid reasons.
The court stated it would proceed with the trial in his absence, as the detention center where Yoon is held reported difficulties in bringing him in by force. Yoon is also on trial for charges of leading an insurrection through his martial law declaration on December 3. He has not attended proceedings for that trial since being placed under arrest for a second time in July, citing health issues.