Seoul: The first formal hearing of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial concluded in just four minutes due to his absence. The Constitutional Court dismissed Yoon's request to exclude one of the eight justices from the trial.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the next hearing is scheduled for 2 pm (0500 GMT) on Thursday. The court will proceed with the trial regardless of Yoon's presence, as stated by acting court President Moon Hyung-bae, who cited the relevant law.
The hearing took place exactly a month after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon following his brief imposition of martial law on December 3. Yoon's legal team had previously indicated that the president, currently suspended from his duties, would not attend the hearing due to concerns for his personal safety. This comes amid investigators' attempts to detain him on charges of insurrection and abuse of power related to the martial law decree.
The Constitutional Court has a 180-day window to decide whether to uphold or reject the impeachment. If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, leading to a snap presidential election within 60 days. If the impeachment is dismissed, he will be reinstated.