Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol has opted not to attend the Constitutional Court’s session for his impeachment ruling scheduled for Friday, his legal team announced. The court is set to deliver its verdict on Yoon’s impeachment, linked to his brief imposition of martial law, at 11 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Yoon’s decision to skip the session was influenced by concerns over public order and potential security issues, as large gatherings are anticipated. Yoon, who is currently residing in Seoul, was impeached by the National Assembly for constitutional and legal violations related to his short-lived martial law declaration on December 3.

The Constitutional Court has arranged for the ruling to be broadcast live, with the public permitted to attend. Yoon was previously arrested and charged with criminal rebellion in January but was released last month after a Seoul district court annulled his arrest, allowing him to face trial without detention.

In the weeks leading up to the verdict, massive protests have taken place in Seoul and other regions, with citizens split over Yoon’s removal or reinstatement. Acting President Han Duck-soo has called for national acceptance of the court’s decision and has urged politicians to avoid statements that might provoke unrest.

With heightened safety concerns, police have increased security measures around the court in central Seoul, designating the vicinity as a restricted area to minimize the risk of confrontations. On Friday, authorities plan to implement the Gapho alert, deploying all available forces to manage the situation.

President Yoon has maintained his innocence, asserting that his martial law declaration was intended as a cautionary measure against what he perceived as the opposition party’s misuse of legislative power. The Constitutional Court requires the agreement of at least six justices to sustain an impeachment motion, and currently, there are eight justices on the bench.