Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol did not attend his insurrection trial for the second time Thursday, stating that he will boycott all future hearings unless special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team is removed from the courtroom. Yoon is currently in custody at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, after a court issued a warrant to arrest him last Thursday over charges related to his attempt to impose martial law in December.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a trial on separate charges of insurrection and abuse of power related to the martial law bid has already been underway, with the 11th hearing opening at the Seoul Central District Court earlier in the day. One of Yoon's lawyers stated, "Unless the special counsel is removed from the hearings, it is difficult for the defendant to be present," accusing Cho's team of violating the defendant's rights through an "illegal" investigation.

Yoon was also absent from the 10th hearing last week, which occurred only hours after he was placed in custody. It marked the first time he had skipped his trial, which he attributed to health issues. The prosecution has requested the court to issue a warrant to bring him in by force, emphasizing the defendant's obligation to attend his hearings and noting his repeated absences.

The court has urged Yoon's lawyers to persuade him to appear, stating, "If he is unable to come due to poor health, he must submit the relevant papers, and if he wants to challenge the constitutionality of the special counsel, he must do so under different laws."