South Korea’s Yoon to not attend 1st impeachment hearing over safety concerns

Yun Gap-geun, Yoon's lawyer, made the statement ahead of the first hearing by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.

Investigators are still trying to arrest Yoon for questioning in a separate case concerning his brief imposition last month of martial law.

“As attempts to unlawfully execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are under way, there are concerns about personal safety and mishaps," Yun said, calling for the problem with personal safety and security to be resolved so the president can stand trial.

The president will attend the hearing if the concerns are resolved, he added.

The Constitutional Court previously announced that oral arguments for the trial would begin on Tuesday, with five sessions scheduled in total, concluding on Feb. 4.

Yoon shocked the nation when he imposed martial law on the night of Dec. 3, but it was lifted after parliament passed a motion against the move.

The 64-year-old embattled leader was impeached on Dec. 14 and remains suspended from office and state affairs, which are currently being handled by an acting president.

Yoon remains inside his highly fortified official residence in Seoul.