South Korea's President Yoon Absent as Impeachment Trial Over Martial Law Bid Begins

Jan 14, 2025, 05:02 AM

South Korea's Constitutional Court on Tuesday began the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following his short-lived martial law declaration on December 3 that plunged the country into political chaos. President Yoon did not attend the first hearing, citing safety concerns, his lawyer said. The court dismissed Yoon's request to exclude Justice Chung Kye-sun from the trial. Due to his absence, the initial hearing lasted only four minutes before being adjourned. The trial raises questions about constitutional accountability, with the next hearing scheduled for January 16 at 2 p.m.