Former President Yoon Seok-yeol Fails to Attend Court Hearing Due to Health Issues

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol (윤석열), currently incarcerated at the Seoul Detention Center, did not attend his trial on charges of insurrection on July 24, citing health concerns. This marks the third consecutive court appearance he has missed. The court plans to verify Yoon's actual health status and his ability to be summoned from the detention center.

The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon (지귀연), held a session regarding Yoon's charges of leading an insurrection and abuse of power. The court stated, "Due to the defendant's repeated absences, we will initiate procedures to investigate his refusal to appear in accordance with criminal procedure laws and regulations. We will confirm his actual health condition and whether he can be summoned."

Yoon's legal team submitted a document to the court the day before, including a health verification statement, indicating that attending lengthy court sessions is challenging for him.

Special Prosecutor Park Eok-soo (박억수) of the insurrection investigation team noted, "The defendant has failed to appear without justifiable reasons on the 10th and 17th, and again today. We request the issuance of a summons."

Park emphasized that Yoon had attended nine court sessions regularly until March after his indictment and had not raised any health-related claims during that time. He added that the claim of health deterioration has been deemed unfounded following the dismissal of a request for a review of his detention.

Since being detained on charges of obstructing special public duties on July 10, Yoon has not complied with the special prosecutor's requests to appear in court. He had previously filed a request for a review of the necessity of his detention and attended a hearing on July 18, where he argued for his release due to health issues, but the court rejected his plea.

The court is proceeding with the trial using a method called 'evidence examination outside of the hearing date,' allowing witness testimonies to be heard without Yoon present. On this day, witnesses from the Army's Intelligence Command are expected to testify regarding allegations of a covert organization, known as the 'Second Investigation Team,' which is believed to have been established for investigating election fraud, reportedly planned by former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won (노상원).