Suspended South Korean President Yoon to skip first day of impeachment trial over safety concerns

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first day of his impeachment trial this week, according to his lawyer, who cited concerns for the suspended president’s safety.

"As attempts to unlawfully execute an illegal and invalid arrest warrant are underway, there are concerns of personal safety and mishap," Yun Gap-geun, Yoon's defense attorney, said in a statement reported by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.

"In order for the president to appear for the trial, the issue of personal safety and security must be resolved,” Yun continued.

The first day of Yoon’s impeachment trial is slated for Tuesday. Five hearings are scheduled until Feb. 4. According to Yonhap News, if Yoon fails to show up on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court will have to end the session and convene on Thursday for a second session, which could then proceed, even if Yoon remains absent.

 That case is separate from investigators’ efforts to detain the impeached president for questioning related to his martial law decree.

Earlier this month, investigators tried to detain Yoon for questioning, but they ultimately failed after a prolonged standoff with the Presidential Security Service, which is protecting Yoon at the presidential residence, Yonhap and The Guardian reported.

Investigators are widely expected to try to detain Yoon again, after obtaining an extension of the warrant last week.

South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon last month after he briefly declared martial law and thrust the country into chaos.

Yoon apologized after declaring martial law, the first such declaration in the country since 1980. The action sparked outrage from citizens and lawmakers, and the parliament blocked the martial law declaration. He was impeached with bipartisan support.