South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of the trial to determine if he his removed from office or reinstated, Yonhap news agency quoted his lawyer as saying on Sunday.

The president's conservative supporters contend that the country has been overrun by North Korea sympathizers conspiring to destroy South Korea’s freedoms.

Crowds of people wrapped up against the bitter January cold clutch signs emblazoned with the slogan “Stop the Steal,” wave US flags, and don red MAGA-like hats.