Presidential Office Declines to Participate in Impeachment Hearings

SEOUL — The presidential office of South Korea announced on Monday its decision to not participate in upcoming parliamentary hearings regarding an impeachment petition against President Yoon Suk Yeol. The petition, which surfaced online on June 20, has led to the scheduling of two hearings by the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee, set for Friday and July 26, to address allegations including the acceptance of a luxury handbag by the first lady in 2022.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the office considers the hearings "unconstitutional and unlawful" and therefore will not engage with the process. The hearings, which have been marked by controversy, will feature the first lady and her mother as witnesses. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has declared the hearings invalid and did not participate in the committee vote that decided on conducting them.