South Korea’s Constitutional Court opened the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history following his controversial attempt to impose martial law.

The court’s first hearing was brief, adjourning shortly after it began at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) due to Yoon’s absence.

A spokesperson confirmed the adjournment, stating the hearing lasted only minutes.

Yoon’s legal team cited “safety concerns” for his nonattendance, but the court plans to proceed with the remaining hearings as scheduled.

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Yoon’s impeachment follows his December 3 directive for soldiers to storm parliament in an effort to block lawmakers from voting on his suspension of civilian rule.

The failed bid to impose martial law, South Korea’s first in over four decades, lasted just six hours and plunged the nation into its worst political crisis in decades.

The president was swiftly impeached and suspended from office. Since then, Yoon has remained at his residence, refusing summonses from investigators and relying on his presidential security team to resist arrest.

The Constitutional Court’s eight judges will assess whether Yoon’s declaration of martial law was unconstitutional or illegal—either of which would justify his removal.

A decision to uphold the impeachment requires six votes in favor.

The trial, which comprises five scheduled hearings, will continue Thursday, with additional sessions planned for January 21, January 23, and February 4. The court has until mid-June to deliver its ruling.

“This impeachment case focuses solely on the martial law situation,” said Kim Nam-ju, one of Yoon’s lawyers. “Since most of the individuals involved have already been indicted and the facts have been somewhat established, it doesn’t seem like it will take a long time.”

The National Assembly’s legal team has argued for swift action. “There are overwhelming reasons for the immediate dismissal of Yoon,” a representative said before the trial began Tuesday.

While the impeachment trial proceeds, a parallel criminal investigation into Yoon’s actions continues.

A joint team of investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police is preparing another attempt to arrest the suspended president on insurrection charges.

A previous effort to detain Yoon was blocked by his security team, who have since fortified his residence with barbed wire, barricades, and increased patrols.

The defence ministry has clarified that nearby military units will not assist in any arrest attempts.

Yoon’s chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, indicated a willingness to cooperate under specific conditions. “We are ready to consider all options for investigation or visits to the sitting leader at a third location,” he said.

If arrested, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to face detention. A conviction on insurrection charges could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

The impeachment trial comes as South Korea grapples with heightened political instability. Lawmakers also impeached Yoon’s stand-in last month, leaving the country’s leadership in disarray.

The acting president has called for dialogue and urged all parties to resolve the crisis peacefully.

As Southern California battles relentless wildfires, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “particularly dangerous” red flag warning for the Los Angeles area, cautioning residents of potentially explosive fire growth due to strong winds.

Forecasters predict wind gusts peaking at 70 mph (110 km/h) on Tuesday, creating conditions ripe for rapid fire spread. Chad Augustin, Pasadena’s fire chief, described the situation as a critical turning point. “Once we get past Wednesday night, I’ll say, ‘Wooh, we made it.’ But until then, this fire could take off with these increased wind conditions,” he told the BBC.

The region is grappling with three active wildfires, the largest being the Palisades fire, which has scorched over 23,000 acres and is only 13% contained. The Eaton fire follows, consuming 14,000 acres with 27% containment. While firefighters have almost fully contained the smaller Hurst fire, at 95%, challenges remain.

Authorities have placed 105,000 residents under evacuation orders, with at least 24 people confirmed dead and 16 others missing. Firefighters are focusing efforts on hotspots in populated areas, with drones and infrared technology aiding in identifying hidden fire threats.

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Meteorologist Rich Thompson emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that “one of the strongest Santa Ana wind events in several years” had already created “critical fire weather conditions.” The red flag warning is expected to remain in effect until Wednesday, with gusts between 35-55 mph anticipated.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed an additional 1,000 National Guard members to assist, bringing the total to 2,500 personnel. Meanwhile, emergency services continue working tirelessly to contain the blazes and ensure the safety of residents.

Despite some progress, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned that all of LA remains under threat due to the incoming winds. “We are fully committed to ensuring readiness for the next event,” he said.

The Palisades fire incident commander, Jim Hudson, acknowledged the dynamic nature of the battle. “Firefighters are planning two to three ridges away from where the fire is and speaking to communities that could be impacted,” he said.

As efforts continue, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and preventing further destruction. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and prepare for challenging days ahead.

At least 16 people have died in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise as the fires continue to spread.

The devastating blazes have claimed homes, memories, and lives, with many victims succumbing while trying to defend their properties or unable to evacuate in time.

Officials report that identifying victims may take weeks, as traditional methods like fingerprinting and visual recognition are being hampered by the intensity of the fires. Here’s what is known about some of the victims based on family statements and media reports:

Victor Shaw

Victor Shaw, 66, died while trying to save his family’s home in Altadena. His body was discovered near the property with a garden hose in his hand, suggesting his desperate attempt to fend off the flames. His sister, Shari, who evacuated due to the “firestorm,” mourned his loss, saying, “I’ll miss talking to him, joking about, travelling with him and I’ll just miss him to death.”

Randall “Randy” Miod

Randall Miod, 55, perished in his Malibu home. According to his mother, Carol Smith, he was determined to protect the house he had cherished for decades. “That’s the one and only house he ever owned,” she said, reflecting on the memories tied to the property.

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Anthony Mitchell and Justin Mitchell

Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, died in their Altadena home as they tried to escape the encroaching flames. Mitchell’s daughter, Hajime White, recounted his final call, where he said, “The fire’s in the yard.” The family described the heartbreaking loss of a father of four, grandfather of 11, and great-grandfather of 10.

Rodney Nickerson

Eighty-three-year-old Rodney Nickerson also died at his Altadena home. Despite warnings to evacuate, he believed the fire would pass, telling his daughter Kimiko, “I’ll be here tomorrow.”

Annette Rossilli

Annette Rossilli, 85, refused to leave her Pacific Palisades home, staying with her five pets. Firefighters later found her body in her car. Her family and caregivers described her devotion to her pets and her reluctance to abandon the life she had built there.

Rory Callum Sykes

Australian citizen Rory Sykes, 32, died in the Palisades fire. His mother, Shelley, recounted their struggle to escape as she attempted to lift her son, who had cerebral palsy. “No mum can leave their kid,” she said, mourning the loss of her “baby” who had overcome significant challenges to inspire others as a motivational speaker.

Erliene Kelley

The family of 83-year-old Erliene Kelley confirmed she died after refusing to evacuate her Altadena home. Her granddaughter, Briana Navarro, shared the family’s grief, saying Kelley had believed the fire would not reach her house, as previous ones had not.

Growing Crisis

As firefighters battle the flames and search for survivors, the community is left grappling with immense loss. Officials continue to urge residents to heed evacuation orders, stressing that lives are more important than possessions.