South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun has rejected a court request to appear in person to defend himself at the first public hearing on his impeachment next week, according to his aide. Mr Roh refused to attend the hearing at the Constitutional Court, fearing his presence would only provide fodder to opposition parties seeking to attack him in the court, said his former advisor for civil affairs Moon Jae-In. Mr Moon, who heads his legal team, said Mr Roh was under no legal obligation to appear in person. "We've asked the President not to attend the court hearing and he accepted the advice," Mr Moon said.
| I think he's overpaying his legal team, whatever he's paying them... |
Mr Roh, 57, was suspended from office following an unprecedented impeachment motion passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on March 12. The Constitutional Court has summoned Mr Roh to defend himself in person at the hearing on his impeachment. The court has up to 180 days to decide whether to endorse or reject the impeachment for alleged election law violations, corruption and incompetence. With Mr Roh's rejection of the summons, the court will set another date for his attendance. If he refuses again, the court will proceed without his attendance.
| Which would seem to indicate a "no contest" defense... |
Mr Roh's refusal to attend the hearing will cause some delay to the legal proceedings. Yonhap news agency said it now became more unlikely the court ruling would be made before the April 15 elections. Mr Roh, 13 months into a five-year term, will be banned from holding public office for five years if impeachment is upheld by at least six of the nine judges. The impeachment vote delivered a jolt to South Korea's fragile economic recovery and triggered three days of street protests across the country. Political turmoil also increased uncertainty over delicate diplomacy to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis and improve ties between Seoul and Pyongyang. Mr Roh's impeachment polarised politics and sent tens of thousands of demonstrators into the streets for candlelit protests that were outlawed on Monday. More than 70 per cent of South Koreans opposed impeachment, according to polls, and opposition parties that supported the vote are facing a popular backlash. |