Seoul: The insurrection trial of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol was held in absentia Monday after he refused to appear for the fourth consecutive time. The Seoul Central District Court conducted the scheduled trial session, marking the first since the courts resumed following a two-week summer break. However, Yoon was notably absent from the proceedings.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court stated, “We will proceed with the trial in absentia due to the refusal of the accused to attend. Any disadvantages caused by the nonattendance will have to be borne by the accused.” The former president has been facing charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power by briefly imposing martial law in December. Despite the gravity of the charges, Yoon has consistently refused to attend the hearings since July 10, citing health concerns following his incarceration for the second time over the martial law plan.
Yoon’s legal team has reported that he is experiencing increased pain since last Thursday. This follows an incident where investigators from special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team attempted to forcibly remove him from his detention center for questioning over election meddling allegations involving him and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. The Seoul Detention Center, where Yoon is held, expressed concerns about the challenges and potential repercussions of bringing him to the trial under duress, emphasizing issues related to safety, human rights, and social implications.
Insurrection is a serious charge in South Korea, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The ongoing trial continues to draw significant public and media attention as the nation awaits further developments.