Yoon Fails to Appear for Third Consecutive 'Obstruction of Arrest' Trial... Witness Examination Proceeds in Absentia

[Financial News] Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has failed to appear for the third consecutive time in the trial regarding additional charges of obstructing arrest. The court decided to proceed with the hearing in absentia, continuing the process without the defendant present.
The Criminal Agreement Division 35 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Baek Daehyeon, held the fourth hearing on the 21st for Yoon Suk Yeol, who is charged with obstruction of official duties, among other offenses. Yoon was absent for the third time, having also missed the hearings on the 10th and 17th.
The court stated, "The defendant did not appear at the previous hearing, and it has been determined that it is practically impossible to bring him in by force. Therefore, the trial was conducted in absentia. Today’s hearing will proceed in the same manner, and we will begin the proceedings without the defendant present."
According to Article 277-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, if a detained defendant refuses to appear without just cause and it is impossible or extremely difficult for the court to bring the defendant in by force, the trial may proceed in the defendant's absence. However, the defendant must accept the disadvantage of not being able to directly present opinions during witness examination.
At the hearing, witness examination continued for officials from the Presidential Security Service (PSS) who had blocked the execution of Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest warrant. Yoon’s legal team cross-examined Kim Shin, former head of the PSS Family Division, who is known to be close to Kim Keon Hee.
When asked by Yoon’s defense whether he had ever heard the president say, 'Can’t we use firearms?', Kim Shin replied, 'No, I have not.' Regarding the firearms and live ammunition carried by security personnel, he explained, 'They always have them.'
In the afternoon, witness examination was also conducted for Kwang-woo Lee, former chief of the PSS Security Headquarters. The special prosecutor referred to a message Lee sent to Kim Seong-hun, former PSS deputy chief, stating, 'If crazy people come, we should beat them up,' and asked whether this indicated an intention to obstruct the execution of the arrest warrant. Lee responded, 'No, it does not. The leadership was showing strong determination at the time, and my message was a response to that.'
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter