Seoul: The first formal hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial concluded after just four minutes due to his absence. The Constitutional Court dismissed Yoon's request to exclude one of the eight justices from the trial. Acting court President Moon Hyung-bae announced that the trial would continue at the next hearing, scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, irrespective of Yoon's presence, in accordance with the relevant law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the hearing was convened exactly one month after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon following his brief imposition of martial law on December 3. Yoon's legal team had previously stated that the suspended president would not attend the hearing, citing concerns for his personal safety amid ongoing attempts by investigators to detain him on charges of insurrection and abuse of power linked to the martial law decree.

The court unanimously decided to reject Yoon's request for the exclusion of Justice Chung Kye-sun, despite his lawyers' concerns about her past involvement with a progressive law research society potentially affecting a fair ruling. Yun Gap-geun, a lawyer for Yoon, expressed regret over the dismissal, suggesting that a justice with common sense should recuse herself.

Additionally, Moon indicated that the court dismissed Yoon's objection to the simultaneous scheduling of five hearing dates, asserting that the decision adhered to the Constitutional Court's legal framework. Yun criticized the decision, arguing that the court was overstepping its authority.

The Constitutional Court has a 180-day period to either uphold or reject the impeachment since receiving the case on December 14. If the impeachment is upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, prompting a snap presidential election within 60 days. If dismissed, he will be reinstated.

National Assembly lawmakers and lawyers, acting as prosecutors in the case, condemned Yoon's failure to attend the hearing, labeling it as an anticonstitutional act. Rep. Kim Gi-pyo of the main opposition Democratic Party commented on Yoon's hostile stance toward the Constitution.

On Monday, the National Assembly team requested five witnesses for the trial: Hong Jang-won, Cho Ji-ho, Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, and Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung. When questioned about Yoon's attendance at the upcoming hearing, Yun stated that a decision would be made after evaluating the trial's progression, future conditions, and their requests for witnesses and substantiation plans.