South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will not attend the first hearing of the trial to determine whether he is removed him from office or reinstated, due to concerns about his safety, Yonhap News reported on Sunday,

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol remained defiantly inside his residence resisting arrest for a third day on Thursday, after vowing to "fight" authorities seeking to question him over his failed martial law bid.

Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's team says he will not attend the impeachment hearing until safety issues are resolved. Yoon faces possible insurrection charges over his December martial law decree.