Yoon to skip first hearing in impeachment trial over safety concerns

South Korea’s suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing in his impeachment trial, local media reported on Sunday.

Yoon would not attend due to concerns for his safety, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the president’s lawyer.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is scheduled to formally begin the impeachment process against Yoon, who issued a short-lived martial law decree on December 3.

The court will decide whether to uphold his impeachment or reinstate him to office.

Yoon, 64, is still in his residence, which is shielded by high walls and guarded by dozens of members of the presidential security service.

Hundreds of his supporters are also camped out in front of the entrance to the property.

Lawmakers removed Yoon from office until further notice on charges of abuse of power and sedition in mid-December.