South Korea looks set for a dramatic political showdown this week as impeachment proceedings kick off against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, who remains holed up in his fortified residence evading arrest for a separate criminal investigation.

Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on 3 Dec has thrown South Korea into political turmoil. He had tried to justify the attempt by saying he was protecting the country from

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first day of his impeachment trial this week, according to his lawyer, who cited concerns for the suspended president’s safety. “As