Park was to return to the dock with a fresh team of five court-appointed lawyers after her own legal team resigned en masse in protest against the court extending her detention, but she refused to meet them and cited health problems for her absence.

Ex-President Park Geun-hye's trial resumed at the Seoul Central District Court after a 42-day hiatus on Monday, but the accused refused to show up.

Park submitted a statement claiming to be suffering from back pains and swollen knees that require painkillers.

Authorities in the remand jail where Park has been incarcerated said she is getting about 30 minutes of exercise a day outside her cell. Monday's court session ended after just 23 minutes.

The court will decide whether to try her in absentia if she keeps refusing to show up.

The judge said, "It is difficult to force her to show up for trial considering her status as an ex-president. We will postpone the trial [to Tuesday] and explain what she stands to lose if she is tried in absentia."

The court-appointed lawyers have asked Park three times to meet with them, but the former leader apparently did not respond.

One told reporters, "We will try our best to protect the rights of the defendant and uphold the objectives of the previous defense team."