• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend his impeachment trial beginning January 14 due to safety concerns.
• Yoon has been staying in the presidential residence under tight security since his impeachment last month following a failed martial law attempt.
• The Constitutional Court will proceed with the trial in his absence and will decide whether to uphold or reverse his impeachment.
• Investigators are preparing another attempt to arrest Yoon on insurrection charges, marking a significant event in South Korean political history.
• Public sentiment appears divided, with recent polls showing a rise in approval ratings for Yoon’s ruling party during the ongoing crisis.

South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial scheduled for January 14, citing safety concerns as reported by his lawyer. Since being impeached last month, Yoon has sought refuge in the presidential residence, shielded by an elite security detail following an ill-fated declaration of martial law that thrust the country into political instability. Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kab-keun made it clear that although the president is prepared to attend the trial once safety issues are resolved, he will refrain from appearing due to current risks.

The Constitutional Court has set multiple trial dates from January 14 to February 4, which will continue in Yoon’s absence. The court's decision will determine whether to uphold his impeachment or restore him to power. Investigators continue to pursue Yoon on charges of insurrection linked to his martial law declaration, complicating the situation further, and preparing for another arrest attempt, which, if successful, would mark the first time a sitting South Korean president has been detained. If convicted, Yoon could face severe penalties, including imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Yoon has resisted meetings with prosecutors and investigators, and tensions escalated earlier this month when an attempt to arrest him led to a prolonged standoff. Supporters and opponents of Yoon have engaged in daily protests throughout Seoul, a scenario that reflects the ongoing polarization of public opinion surrounding his presidency. Notably, recent polls indicate a rise in approval for Yoon’s ruling party, the People Power Party, with a Gallup survey revealing approval has increased to 34% from 24% over the past three weeks, demonstrating a complex relationship between public sentiment and the impeachment crisis.

As the situation develops, both his legal team and security personnel remain vigilant, with the Guardian reporting that Yoon's guards are on “high alert.” The National Office of Investigation has signaled readiness to mobilize around 1,000 investigators for the next arrest attempt, further illustrating the tense atmosphere surrounding Yoon’s presidency. Yoon’s former Presidential Security Service chief made it clear that any upcoming arrest attempt should occur without violence, underlining the precariousness of this unprecedented political scenario.

For more detailed information, visit the complete article on South China Morning Post.