South Korean President's impeachment trial ends after 4 minutes

(CLO) The first hearing in the impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ended quickly after 4 minutes on January 14 due to his absence.

Acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Moon Hyung-bae, confirmed that the next hearing will take place on January 16, regardless of whether Mr. Yoon attends or not, based on current legal regulations.

The suspended president did not attend the hearing for personal safety reasons. Mr. Yoon is facing an arrest warrant related to charges of rebellion and abuse of power after he issued a decree to briefly impose martial law on December 3, a move that has been deeply controversial in political circles.

Yoon's lawyers had asked Judge Chung Kye-sun to be removed from the trial over concerns of bias due to her previous role in a progressive legal research organization. However, the Constitutional Court rejected the request with a unanimous decision from the remaining seven judges.

Mr. Yoon's objection to the Court's allotment of five trial days was also rejected, on the grounds of compliance with the law.

The front of the main building of the Constitutional Court of Korea in 2015. Photo: CC/Wiki

The Constitutional Court has 180 days to make a final decision on whether to remove or reinstate Mr Yoon. If he is removed, a presidential election will be held within 60 days. If not, he will be restored to power.

Outside the court, a team of prosecutors appointed by the National Assembly strongly criticized Mr. Yoon's absence, saying it reflected a disregard for the Constitution. The group also requested the summoning of five witnesses, including senior officials from the intelligence agency and the military, to clarify related allegations.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government continues to seek to execute an arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon after the first attempt failed due to resistance from presidential security forces. The South Korean Defense Ministry affirmed that it would not mobilize the military to participate in this to avoid escalating the conflict.

Ngoc Anh (according to Yonhap, Korea Herald, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phien-toa-luan-toi-tong-thong-han-quoc-ket-thuc-sau-4-phut-post330366.html