Yoon Sukyeol Resists Sixth Consecutive Insurrection Trial: "Forced Transfer from Detention Center Impossible"

Continued Absence Since Re-Arrest on July 10
Court Proceeds With Trial in Absentia Without Yoon

Former President Yoon Sukyeol was absent from his insurrection ringleader trial for the sixth consecutive time on August 28. Since being re-arrested on July 10, Yoon has refused to attend both the trial and the attempts by the special counsel team investigating the insurrection and Kim Keonhee, maintaining a strategy of resistance. The court has decided to proceed with the trial in absentia.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is coming out after the warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 9, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Ji Guyoun, held a hearing at 10:15 a.m. on this day regarding the charges against former President Yoon, including being the ringleader of an insurrection.

The court stated, "The defendant is absent again today," and added, "We have received a report from the detention center, which also indicated that bringing him by force is impossible and extremely difficult." The court continued, "In accordance with Article 277-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, we will proceed with the trial in his absence."

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, if a detained defendant refuses to appear without a valid reason and it is deemed impossible or significantly difficult for correctional officers to bring the defendant to the courtroom, the trial may proceed without the defendant's presence. During the trial for former President Park Geunhye's state affairs manipulation case, proceedings were also conducted in absentia, with only her attorneys and the special prosecutor present due to her absence.

Former President Yoon had attended all hearings up to the ninth trial, but since being re-arrested on July 10, he has cited health reasons for his absence. For the previous three hearings, the court conducted witness examinations outside the scheduled dates, but as of the trial on August 11, the court announced it would proceed in absentia if the defendant did not appear. In such cases, the defendant must bear any disadvantages that may arise in the trial, such as the agreement or disagreement with the evidence presented.

During today's trial, witness examinations are scheduled for Colonel Park Jinwoo, Commander of the 35th Special Mission Battalion of the Capital Defense Command, and Lieutenant Colonel Kim Euigyu, Regional Commander under the 35th Special Mission Unit. The 35th Special Mission Unit is an anti-terrorism force, and both officers were reportedly deployed to the National Assembly during the emergency martial law period alongside the Special Warfare Command.