Yoon Suk Yeol's December attempt to impose martial law has triggered South Korea's worst political crisis in decades, leading to his impeachment trial. The Constitutional Court is deciding whether to remove him from office due to the unconstitutionality of his actions. The trial's first hearing commenced without Yoon's presence, raising questions about his commitment to due process.
Seoul, South Korea —The impeachment trial of South Korea ’s President Yoon Suk Yeol commenced on Tuesday, with the country’s Constitutional Court tasked with determining whether to remove him from office due to a failed attempt to impose martial law. Yoon's December 3rd power grab plunged South Korea into its most severe political crisis in decades after he directed soldiers to storm parliament in an unsuccessful bid to prevent lawmakers from voting down his suspension of civilian rule.
Subsequently, he was impeached and suspended from duty. However, he has remained secluded in his residence since then, disregarding summonses from investigators probing him on charges of insurrection and utilizing his presidential security team to resist arrest. The trial's inaugural of five hearings started at 2:00 pm Korea time but concluded after just a few minutes, with Yoon absent. The court's spokesperson informed Agence France Presse (AFP) of Yoon's non-attendance. Lawmakers also impeached Yoon's acting successor last month, exacerbating the country's political instability. The current acting president has demonstrated reluctance to intervene in the standoff, instead appealing to all parties to engage in negotiations for a resolution. The eight judges of the court will primarily address two key issues: whether Yoon's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and if it was unlawful. 'This impeachment case centers exclusively on the martial law situation, so the facts are not particularly intricate,' lawyer Kim Nam-ju stated to AFP. 'Since most of the individuals involved have already been indicted, and the facts have been somewhat established, it doesn't appear as though it will take a considerable amount of time.' The court possesses up to 180 days from December 14th, when it received the case, to deliver its ruling on whether Yoon indeed violated the constitution and the martial law act. Yoon's legal team asserted that he would not appear at the initial hearing due to purported safety concerns, indicating his willingness to attend at a later date if security issues were resolved. Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye did not appear for their impeachment trials in 2004 and 2016-2017, respectively. Yoon's lawyers have argued that the court must utilize the full 180 days—specifically to examine what 'led to the declaration of martial law.' The attempt to place South Korea under military rule for the first time in over four decades lasted only six hours
SOUTH KOREA IMPEACHMENT YOOON SUK YEOL MARTIAL LAW CONSTITUTIONAL COURT POLITICAL CRISIS
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea's Suspended President Yoon Skips Impeachment Trial Over Safety ConcernsSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial due to safety concerns raised by his lawyer.
Read more »
South Korea's Yoon will not attend 1st impeachment trial hearing —reportLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
South Korea’s Yoon will not attend first impeachment trial hearing, Yonhap says, citing lawyersThe Constitutional Court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14
Read more »
South Korea's Yoon impeachment trial: what could happen?SEOUL, South Korea — The impeachment trial of South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol begins on Tuesday to decide the former star prosecutor's fate after his short-lived martial law decree.
Read more »
North Korea state media slams South’s Yoon as ‘ringleader of rebellion’Seoul, South Korea - North Korean state media on Monday issued its first report on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, dubbing him a
Read more »
South Korea court begins review of Yoon impeachmentLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »