Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was absent from his insurrection trial for the ninth consecutive session on Monday, as a special counsel team requested the court speed up proceedings by holding four hearings a week. Yoon faces charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through an attempt to impose martial law in December.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon has refused to appear at his trial since being placed in custody for the second time on July 10, related to the martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court stated, "The defendant has voluntarily not appeared today again," and confirmed that the trial will proceed in absentia, as the Seoul Detention Center reported the impossibility of bringing him in by force.
Under the Criminal Procedure Code, a trial can continue without the defendant if they refuse to attend without legitimate reasons, and it is deemed impossible or significantly difficult for prison officers to compel their attendance. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, responsible for the martial law case investigation, has requested the court expedite proceedings by scheduling four hearings weekly, following the consolidation of trials involving Yoon and senior police officials connected to the decree.
The court announced last week its intention to conclude proceedings by December after merging the insurrection trials of Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and police chief Cho Ji-ho.