Photo: Democratic Party lawmakers hold a press conference in front of the Seoul Detention Center denouncing the alleged special treatment given to Yoon Suk-yeol. Credit: News1.
South Korea’s long tradition of jailing former presidents has resulted in the Seoul Detention Center 서울구치소 getting a presidential suite of sorts. (See previous coverage, “Yoon’s Life in the Clink.”) Amenities have traditionally included a walled-off toilet and a dedicated television - but these were reportedly not enough for the cell’s most recent guest.
On August 14, the Ministry of Justice 법무부 announced that Seoul Detention Center chief Kim Hyeon-u 김현우 will be reassigned in the wake of allegations that he provided Yoon with improper benefits. Yoon was reportedly given unlimited use of an air-conditioned, solitary attorney meeting room, even outside official visiting hours, returning to the prison cell without air conditioning only to sleep. Yoon’s attorneys were also permitted to bring in smartphones for Yoon’s use, in violation of the regulations.
The alleged violations took place during Yoon’s first stint in prison, between January 19 and March 8, before Yoon was formally removed from the presidency; no similar violations are alleged since Yoon’s rearrest on July 10. The Justice Ministry said that in the future, Yoon will use the group attorney meeting room along with other prisoners.
