Former President Yoon Suk-yeol did not attend the treason charge criminal trial held at the Seoul Central District Court at 10:15 a.m. on the 17th. This is the second trial since his re-arrest on charges of abuse of power on the 10th. Former President Yoon is facing a detention review hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 18th.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Director General Ji Gwi-yeon, held the 11th trial for former President Yoon, who is accused of being the leader of the treason charge, starting at 10:15 a.m. on that day. Former President Yoon did not appear in court again today, following his absence in the last session.
On that day, former President Yoon's lawyer stated, "The defendant and the defense team respect the court's objective and neutral conduct of the trial," but noted that, "The special prosecutor is maintaining the indictment of the ongoing treason case in an unconstitutional manner, and is infringing on the defendant's rights through illegal investigations that led to the defendant's detention."
The lawyer added, "Currently, the defendant is facing a very difficult detention life due to a sudden arrest," and stated, "He usually takes diabetes and blood pressure medication, but his strength has significantly weakened. He is struggling even to climb the stairs to the meeting room in the detention center due to dizziness." He also expressed that, "It is difficult for him to attend the trial and sit for long hours all day," and emphasized that, "Under these circumstances, the defendant cannot attend unless the unconstitutional maintenance of the special prosecutor's indictment is resolved."
In response, the court asked, "Does this mean that (former President Yoon) will attend the next trial?" The lawyer replied, "His health condition is challenging, and he cannot come until the unconstitutional maintenance of the special prosecutor's indictment is resolved."
The special prosecutor present at the trial requested the court, saying, "The defendant continues to neglect his obligation to appear under the Criminal Procedure Act, repeatedly being absent," and urged, "Please consider actively pursuing a request for an arrest warrant and other progress directions."
Similar to the previous session, the court decided to proceed with witness examination only in today's trial. The court also stated, "Health-related documents regarding (former President Yoon) should be submitted, and the unconstitutional aspects must be contested separately."
Meanwhile, former President Yoon is set to face a detention review hearing at the Seoul Central District Court at 10:30 a.m. on the 18th. On the 17th, former President Yoon's legal representatives disclosed that they submitted a petition for the detention review to the court, stating, "We will clarify the illegality and unfairness of the detention in the court."
The detention review is a procedure in which the court examines the legality of a suspect's detention and the necessity to continue the detention. The court assigns the relevant trial division, which must conduct a suspect examination and evidence investigation within 48 hours of the request. Subsequently, the court decides on release based on the necessity of detention considering whether detention conditions and procedures were violated, along with concerns about evidence destruction or flight risk.
Earlier, former President Yoon was arrested on the 10th on charges of obstruction of official duties and abuse of power in relation to the treason special prosecutor's investigation. The reason for his detention was reportedly due to concerns about the destruction of evidence.