South Korea leader fails to attend trial

Embattled South Korea President Park Geun Hye failed to appear at the impeachment trial on Tuesday.

Reports say the trial kicked off without the scandal-hit leader in attendance.

As widely expected, Park did not attend the hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, which Yonhap said was adjourned after just nine minutes.

Following Park’s impeachment in December, the court is reviewing allegations against her of corruption, abuse of power and violating constitutional duties in a scandal involving her long-time confidante, Choi Soon Sil.

Choi was allegedly able to influence government in spite of holding no official position and is thought to have used her ties to Park to secure business and personal favours.

Report says Park denies all the allegations against her.

“We will do our best to conduct a strict and fair review of the impeachment case,’’ Court President Park Han-chul was cited by the agency as saying.

However, the court is set to reconvene on Thursday.

The court president said the trial would proceed through a proxy if Park again failed to attend. (dpa/NAN)

Embattled South Korea President Park Geun Hye failed to appear at the impeachment trial on Tuesday.

Reports say the trial kicked off without the scandal-hit leader in attendance.

As widely expected, Park did not attend the hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, which Yonhap said was adjourned after just nine minutes.

Following Park’s impeachment in December, the court is reviewing allegations against her of corruption, abuse of power and violating constitutional duties in a scandal involving her long-time confidante, Choi Soon Sil.

Choi was allegedly able to influence government in spite of holding no official position and is thought to have used her ties to Park to secure business and personal favours.

Report says Park denies all the allegations against her.

“We will do our best to conduct a strict and fair review of the impeachment case,’’ Court President Park Han-chul was cited by the agency as saying.

However, the court is set to reconvene on Thursday.

The court president said the trial would proceed through a proxy if Park again failed to attend. (dpa/NAN)