Yoon to attend criminal trial hearing next week via ground parking lot

Policemen are stationed in front of the residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former first lady Kim Keon Hee in southern Seoul, April 30. Yonhap

The Seoul High Court said Thursday former President Yoon Suk Yeol should attend the third hearing of his criminal trial on insurrection charges next week via ground parking lot, instead of an underground parking lot he had used before.

Yoon had been allowed to enter the Seoul Central District Court for his previous trial hearings in April through an underground parking lot out of concerns over security upon a request from the ex-president.

Yoon was also photographed in the defendant's seat during the second hearing of the trial.

The third session of Yoon's criminal trial will be held Monday over his short-lived martial law declaration in December.

He was formally ousted from office in early April, as the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment.

The court, meanwhile, will cordon off entry from all vehicles on the day of the hearing, with the exception of official cars designated for specific tasks, starting at 8 p.m. Friday until midnight Monday.

It also advised its personnel to use public transportation and refrain from using personal vehicles on the day.