SEOUL: South Korea's Constitutional Court opened the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday over his failed martial law bid, but quickly adjourned the first hearing after the suspended leader didn't show up. The trial's first of five hearings began at 2:00 pm but lasted just minutes with Yoon not in attendance, the court's spokesperson said.
Although his failure to attend — which his team have blamed on purported safety concerns — forced a procedural adjournment, the hearings will continue without Yoon, with the next set for Thursday. Additional hearings are already scheduled for January 21, January 23 and February 4.
The court's eight judges will decide mainly two issues: whether Yoon's martial law declaration was unconstitutional and whether it was illegal — either of which could prove grounds to uphold his impeachment. Six of the eight judges must vote in favour of Yoon's impeachment for him to be removed from office. — AFP
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