Former President Yoon Suk-yeol failed to appear in court for the sixth consecutive time in his trial related to charges of insurrection leader and others. The Seoul Detention Center, where former President Yoon is incarcerated, reportedly conveyed to the court that 'it is impossible to bring out former President Yoon from the detention center.'
On the 28th at 10:15 a.m., the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Director General Ji Gwi-yeon) will conduct the 15th public hearing of the insurrection leader and abuse of power charges against former President Yoon in absentia. A trial in absentia is conducted while the defendant is not present.
The court stated, 'The defendant did not appear today as well,' and added, 'We received a report from the detention center, which similarly stated, "Involuntary transfer is impossible; it is quite difficult."' It then noted that 'the trial will proceed in absentia in accordance with Article 277-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act.'
Former President Yoon has continued to miss trials due to health deterioration since his arrest on the 10th of last month. He failed to appear on the 10th, 17th, and 24th of last month, as well as on the 11th and 18th of this month. Including today's absence, it marks six consecutive non-appearances.
Former President Yoon is additionally indicted on charges of obstruction of special public duties and forgery of false official documents. The first trial for this case is scheduled to take place on September 26, but it appears that former President Yoon will not attend this trial either.
Meanwhile, according to Article 277-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, if a detained defendant refuses to appear without justifiable reasons, and if involuntary transfer by a guard is impossible or deemed significantly difficult, the public trial procedure may proceed without the defendant's presence. The trial of former President Park Geun-hye regarding the National Security Council scandal was also conducted in absentia.