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| ▲ This file photo, taken July 9, 2025, shows former President Yoon Suk Yeol arriving at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul for a hearing on whether to issue a warrant for his arrest. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) ex-president-trial
(LEAD) Ex-President Yoon absent from insurrection trial for 8th straight session
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 6-9)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was absent from his insurrection trial for the eighth consecutive session Monday, prompting the court to proceed without him.
Yoon has declined to appear at the trial at the Seoul Central District Court since his second arrest on July 10 on charges related to his failed attempt to impose martial law, citing health issues.
The bench said Monday it would continue with the proceedings in his absence, noting that the Seoul Detention Center where Yoon is held reported it was impossible to bring him in by force.
Yoon has been standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through his failed martial law bid in December.
Insurrection carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death.
Meanwhile, the bench said it plans to conclude the trial's proceedings by December, noting that it is expected to be merged with the insurrection trials of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and police chief Cho Ji-ho, who were both involved in Yoon's martial law imposition.
"The three cases are currently taking place separately, but they share key issues and evidence," judge Jee Kui-youn said, adding that they are expected to be merged, with proceedings to end as a single case.
The remarks come as some critics have taken issue with the speed of Yoon's trial due to the number of witnesses selected.
During Monday's hearing, the court was set to hear witness testimony from an official at the Defense Counterintelligence Command, which was involved in martial law operations.
Under the Criminal Procedure Code, a trial can proceed in the absence of the defendant in the event he refuses to attend without legitimate grounds and it is deemed impossible or significantly difficult for a prison officer to bring him in by force.
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