Yoon skipped the first hearing in the impeachment trial due to security concerns

Johannesburg – Suspended South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his trial, local media reported on Sunday.

Yoon would not attend due to concern for his safety, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the president’s lawyer.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court is scheduled to formally begin the impeachment process against Yoon, who issued a temporary martial law order on December 3.

The court will decide whether to agree to charge him or reinstate him.

Yoon, 64, is still in his residence, which is protected by high walls and guarded by dozens of members of the presidential security service.

Hundreds of his supporters also camped in front of the entrance of the place.

Lawyers removed Yoon from office until further notice on the charges of abuse of power and treason in mid-December.