The court is to decide whether Yoon Suk-Yeol should be stripped of his presidential duties. This after he surprisingly triggered the country's worst political crisis in decades at the beginning of December by declaring a state of emergency with accompanying martial law.
Yoon has refused to respond to summonses from investigators. He did not appear at today's hearing, just as he had previously announced, citing security risks.
In total, five dates have been scheduled for the trial, the last one being February 4. The impeachment process will be carried out without Yoon if he does not appear.
The police have on several occasions attempted to arrest the suspended president without success. He has refused to leave his residence, described as a fortress, but there are also rumors that he may have fled from there.
The court has up to 180 days from December 14, when it received the case, to make its decision on whether Yoon has actually violated the constitution and martial law.
In the capital Seoul, both supporters and opponents of Yoon have gathered almost daily for protests.
