Yoon Sukyeol Maintains Month-Long Boycott of Insurrection Trial as Special Prosecutor Presses for Arrest Warrant

Former President Yoon Sukyeol was absent for the fourth consecutive time from his trial on charges of leading an insurrection on August 11. Since being rearrested on July 10, Yoon has refused to attend court hearings and has not complied with attempts by both the court and the special prosecutor investigating the insurrection and the Kim Keonhee case to bring him in, maintaining a strategy of defiance.

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

원본보기 아이콘

The Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyon) held a hearing at 10:15 a.m. that day for Yoon, who faces charges including leading an insurrection. As Yoon failed to appear even though the trial resumed two weeks after the court's summer recess, the special prosecution team for the insurrection case (Special Prosecutor Cho Eonseok) requested the court to issue a bench warrant for his appearance.

The special prosecution team (Special Prosecutor Cho Eonseok) argued that a bench warrant was necessary, noting that Yoon had attended all hearings up to the ninth but has been absent without valid reason since the tenth. In contrast, Yoon's legal team claimed, "Due to health reasons, the defendant cannot sit for extended periods, and forcibly bringing him to court could seriously violate due process."

The court proceeded with an in absentia trial, leaving Yoon's seat empty and not issuing a bench warrant. Presiding Judge Ji Guyon stated, "Seoul Detention Center has reported that it is extremely difficult to bring Yoon Sukyeol to court. There are concerns about possible injury if force is used, and considering the potential social repercussions, the situation is problematic." He added, "The trial will proceed in his absence, but any disadvantage resulting from this must be borne by the defendant."

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, if a detained defendant refuses to appear without just cause and it is impossible or extremely difficult for correctional officers to bring the defendant to the hearing, the trial may proceed without the defendant's presence. During the trial of former President Park Geunhye for the state affairs manipulation case, the court also proceeded in absentia, with only her attorneys and the special prosecutor present, due to her absence.

The prevailing view in the legal community is that even if a bench warrant is issued at the request of the special prosecution team in the future, it will be virtually impossible to forcibly bring Yoon to court if he continues to boycott the proceedings. Previously, the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor's team (Special Prosecutor Min Junggi) attempted to use physical force to execute an arrest warrant, but ultimately failed due to Yoon's strong resistance.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.