Former President Yoon Suk-yeol failed to appear for his trial on charges including being the ringleader of an insurrection for the ninth consecutive time. The court decided to proceed with a trial in absentia without the defendant.
At 10:15 a.m. on the 15th, the Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) will proceed with former President Yoon's trial on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection and obstruction of the exercise of rights by abuse of authority as a trial in absentia. A trial in absentia is a proceeding held when the defendant does not appear.
The court said, "The defendant voluntarily failed to appear again today," and noted, "The prison has informed us that once again it is impossible to bring him in by custody (forcibly escorting him)."
Since being taken into custody on the 10th of last month, former President Yoon has continued to miss court, citing worsening health. He did not appear at hearings on Jul. 10, 17, and 24, and Aug. 11, 18, and 29, as well as Sept. 8. Including his absence from today's hearing, this makes nine consecutive no-shows.
On the 8th, former President Yoon's side applied to the first-instance court handling the insurrection case to request a constitutional review, arguing that "the current special prosecutor act is unconstitutional," and filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court. Three days later, an amendment to the special prosecutor act passed as proposed by the Democratic Party of Korea. The court said that day, "When the amended special prosecutor act is promulgated, the defense for the defendant should review what to do with the request for a constitutional review of the existing special prosecutor act."
Meanwhile, former President Yoon has been additionally indicted on charges including obstructing the execution of special official duties and drafting false official documents. The first hearing in this case is scheduled for Sept. 26, and Yoon is also expected to be absent from that hearing.