South Korea Begin Yoon’s Impeachment Trial
South Korea’s Constitutional Court initiated the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, marking a historic legal battle over his failed martial law declaration. However, the first hearing was swiftly adjourned as Yoon did not appear, citing safety concerns.
The crisis stems from Yoon’s December 3 attempt to deploy soldiers to disrupt parliamentary proceedings, following lawmakers’ move to suspend his civilian rule.
The power grab, which lasted a mere six hours, triggered South Korea’s deepest political turmoil in decades and led to Yoon’s impeachment.
Although Yoon has resisted multiple summonses, the court has set four additional hearings for January 21, January 23, February 4, and later this week.
The court must decide within 180 days whether Yoon’s actions violated constitutional or legal boundaries. A majority vote from six of the eight judges is required to uphold the impeachment.
In a parallel development, investigators are preparing a renewed effort to arrest Yoon on insurrection charges after a prior attempt was thwarted by his presidential guards. If successful, Yoon would be the first sitting South Korean president arrested.
As political tensions escalate, the acting president has called for dialogue to ease the nation’s instability. Meanwhile, security at Yoon’s residence has been tightened with barbed wire and military patrols.
Experts warn that failure to secure Yoon’s arrest could undermine public trust in the Corruption Investigation Office and deepen the political divide.
