Ex-President Yoon absent from 2nd hearing of new martial law trial
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends the first hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Sept. 26. Yonhap
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was absent from the second hearing of his latest trial on martial law-related charges Friday.
Yoon had attended the trial's first hearing on Sept. 26 as it was required by law, appearing in public for the first time since he was placed under arrest in July.
The trial at the Seoul Central District Court is his second in connection with his failed attempt to impose martial law in December.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team has indicted him on charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, revising the martial law proclamation and obstructing his detention by investigators in January.
"It appears that the defendant's refusal to appear has no legitimate grounds," the bench said. "The reason for absence submitted by former President Yoon's side only cites his health and does not state that having a prison officer bring him in by force is impossible or significantly difficult."
The bench was referring to a legal clause that lets a trial proceed in the defendant's absence. As the condition was not met, it said Friday's session will not count as a hearing but still go ahead as scheduled to question members of the Presidential Security Service.
The special counsel team again requested the bench take "firm measures," including issuing a warrant to bring Yoon in by force.
The hearing will not be broadcast, unlike the first session, as it was not requested by the special counsel team due to national security reasons.
The first trial, meanwhile, which is being held at the same court, concerns charges that the former president led an insurrection and abused his power through the martial law attempt.
Yoon has not attended proceedings for the first trial since his July arrest, citing health issues. His request for bail last month was denied by the bench.