Former President Yoon Suk-yeol failed to appear for the 15th consecutive time at his trial on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection. The court asked the defense team to persuade the former president to attend.
On Oct. 20, the Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jee Kui-youn) held the 24th hearing for former President Yoon, who was indicted on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection. However, as the former president did not appear that day, the proceedings have been conducted in absentia.
Before the hearing began, Presiding Judge Jee asked, "Is it correct that the defendant is again voluntarily absent today?" Yoon's attorney answered, "Yes," and added, "There is no change from the previously submitted statement of reasons for nonappearance."
Presiding Judge Jee then said, "I saw media reports that he appeared elsewhere," and requested, "Please try to persuade him to appear in court."
Earlier, on Oct. 15, the former president appeared before the special counsel investigating the insurrection as a suspect and was questioned for about nine hours. Even so, the former president has not appeared at either the trial on the ringleader of an insurrection charge or the trial on the charge of obstruction of special official duties.
The former president's defense team said, "We understand that he intends to appear."