Ex-leader Park refuses to appear in trial after court resumes proceedings

Imprisoned former President Park Geun-hye refused to appear at the resumption of her bribery trial on Monday and Tuesday over a month after she rejected attending court proceedings in discontent at the extension of her arrest warrant.

Imprisoned Korean former President Park Source: Getty Image

Park submitted an explanatory statement in the early morning to the Seoul Detention Center where she has been held since late March, citing back pain and swelling in her knee, according to the Seoul Central District Court and correctional authorities.

The detention center handed in its own written report to the court to the effect that it would not seek to force her to the courtroom given her previous status as a president.

After a brief recess, the court called off the day's hearing and said the trial would have to resume next session with or without her.