Former President Park Geun-hye, who is standing trial for bribery and abuse of power, will not attend her court hearing Thursday, court officials said.

She cited health issues as the reason for her absence in a statement submitted to the Seoul Central District Court. 


The ousted leader expressed mistrust of the court last week, after it extended her detention for another six months. Her initial arrest warrant expired Monday. 

She said she would renounce her right to counsel in protest at what she called an unfair trial. Her lawyers resigned en masse.

Thursday's court proceedings were to hear details of the bribery charges that involve Lotte and SK -- two other conglomerates embroiled in the case aside from Samsung. Samsung's de facto head Lee Jae-yong has been detained and is also standing trial.  (Yonhap)