Prisoner Who Stayed in Lee Jae-yong's Cell: "No Toilet Partitions... The Most Harsh Cell"

Heo Hyun-jun, Former Blue House Administrator, "It's a Mistake to Think Samsung Heir Has a Special Room"
"There Are Surveillance Cameras... The Most Deprived Room in Seoul Detention Center"

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is heading to the courtroom as he attends the sentencing hearing of the retrial for the 'state corruption' case held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, was sentenced to prison in the retrial of the 'State Affairs Manipulation' case and was re-incarcerated. Meanwhile, former Blue House administrative officer Heo Hyun-joon mentioned the room where Lee was previously held.

On the 20th, former administrative officer Heo wrote on his Facebook, "Suddenly, Seoul Detention Center's '1-joong-1' came to mind, and Lee Jae-yong flashed through my thoughts," and opened by saying, "I was re-incarcerated by court detention in 2018 and spent about a week in this room." Previously, Heo was detained in the detention center due to involvement in the 'white list' case, which illegally supported conservative groups during the Park Geun-hye administration.

Heo said, "This room is a single cell created to prevent extreme choices such as suicide by those detained by court order, equipped with a camera that allows 24-hour monitoring," and added, "I could feel with my whole body the hardships Lee Jae-yong must have endured being monitored in that small room for a year."

He recalled, "At the end of the room, there is a cement wall about 60 cm high, and a bathroom about 80-90 cm wide and 120 cm long," and said, "This place is all-weather. You wash your face, do the dishes, shower, and take care of all kinds of needs here. It was truly difficult when I first experienced it."

He continued, "It is the most poor condition room in Seoul Detention Center," and added, "Most rooms have Western-style toilets with partitions."

Heo estimated, "It is a misconception to think that Lee was in a special room that at least received some treatment as the head of Samsung," and said, "I assume Lee Jae-yong returned to that place yesterday."

In conclusion, he said, "It pains my heart to think of the tears he will shed there, but I hope he endures as the head of Samsung. He must grit his teeth and overcome this," and finished his post with, "Whether he sharpens his sword or cultivates his mind is his choice, but one thing is clear: as long as there is radical leftism, both Samsung's future and Lee Jae-yong's body are always in danger. What choice will Lee make on this unavoidable path?"

However, it has not been confirmed whether Lee is currently detained in the same room.

Meanwhile, Lee was detained for one year at Seoul Detention Center due to the State Affairs Manipulation trial. At that time, he was indicted on charges of requesting former President Park Geun-hye and Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil) to assist in the succession of management rights.

Afterwards, Lee was released on probation in the appeal trial in February 2018 and had been undergoing trial without detention until he was re-arrested on the 18th.