Former President Yoon Continues to Skip Martial Law Trials

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol missed his second trial related to martial law charges for the third consecutive session on October 3, 2023. The Seoul Central District Court proceeded without him as witnesses provided testimony regarding allegations of power abuse and obstruction of justice during a failed martial law attempt in December 2022.

Yoon’s absence was noted during the hearing, as the court indicated that conditions had not changed since the last session, which he also skipped. The detention centre where Yoon is held determined it would be impossible to transport him by force, allowing the trial to continue in his absence.

The charges against the former president include violations of the rights of Cabinet members during the declaration of martial law and obstruction of a subsequent detention by investigators. Witnesses expected to testify included two former officials from the Presidential Security Service, who are implicated in efforts to block Yoon’s detention in January.

Since his second arrest in July, Yoon has largely ignored court summonses and trials related to various allegations against him and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. His absence from the court marks the fifteenth session he has skipped in a trial concerning accusations of leading an insurrection through the martial law attempt. The judge remarked that there was no change to Yoon’s voluntary nonattendance and reiterated the detention centre’s inability to ensure his presence.

Yoon’s legal troubles stem from his actions during a controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, 2022. The former president did attend the initial hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges in September, as well as a hearing regarding a bail request. However, his ongoing absence raises questions about the proceedings.

During Monday’s hearing, testimony was scheduled from Col. Kim Hyun-tae, the former head of the Army Special Warfare Command’s 707th Special Mission Group. Col. Kim has alleged that he received orders to seal off and secure the National Assembly following Yoon’s martial law declaration.

As the trials continue, the political landscape in South Korea remains charged with the implications of Yoon’s actions and the ongoing investigations into his conduct while in office. The proceedings are closely watched by the public and the media, reflecting the country’s ongoing struggles with governance and accountability in leadership.