(CLO) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing in his impeachment trial, scheduled to take place next week, due to concerns about his personal safety.
This information was confirmed by lawyer Yoon Kab Keun, President Yoon's legal representative, on January 12. He said: "As attempts to execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are still ongoing, the issue of personal safety and the risk of an incident are very worrying. In order for the President to attend the trial, issues related to security and personal safety need to be thoroughly resolved."
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: CC/Wiki
Tensions escalated when the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and South Korean police attempted to arrest President Yoon at his residence in early January. However, after hours of confrontation with his guards, the plan stalled. Previously, in December 2024, a South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon in connection with the illegal declaration of martial law.
The court later extended the arrest warrant, allowing police to make a second arrest attempt.
In addition, Park Chong Jun, former director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), was questioned by police for the second time on January 11. Mr. Park is accused of preventing investigators from executing an arrest warrant for President Yoon.
After more than 14 hours of questioning at the General Investigation Agency headquarters in western Seoul, Mr. Park said: "I am fully cooperating with the investigation." However, he did not answer questions about the reason for his previous resignation.
President Yoon has been suspended from his duties and powers while the Constitutional Court considers the National Assembly's impeachment decision. The court has scheduled five hearings from January 14 to February 4. These hearings will continue even if the President does not attend.
The Constitutional Court, one of the two most powerful judicial bodies alongside the Supreme Court, has the power to issue rulings that cannot be appealed. Yoon's lawyer said the president would abide by any decision from the court, even if he were removed from office.
The incident has plunged South Korea into a serious political crisis. The allegations revolve around President Yoon abusing his power by declaring martial law and illegally interfering with the investigation.
Observers say that if the Constitutional Court rules to impeach Mr. Yoon, this will be the second time in South Korean history that a President has been removed from office, after the case of Ms. Park Geun Hye in 2017.
In this context, the South Korean public is strongly divided. Some support President Yoon, saying the accusations are politically motivated, while the opposition calls for justice and the protection of democracy.
The current political crisis not only affects President Yoon's reputation but also impacts South Korea's economy and foreign policy.
Hong Hanh (according to CNA, Reuters, Yonhap)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-han-quoc-yoon-se-khong-du-phien-toa-luan-toi-dau-tien-vi-ly-do-an-toan-post330053.html
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