Photos of Yoon Heading to Detention Center Spark Interest
Images of Former Presidents on Their Way to Detention Centers Go Viral
Netizens Say, "Let This Be the Last Time"
A photo taken inside a car transporting Park Geun-hye, Lee Myung-bak, Chun Doo-hwan, and Roh Tae-woo (from left) to the detention center. Yonhap News Agency, online community
On the 15th, President Yoon Seok-yeol was arrested by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCC) on charges of leading a rebellion and detained at Seoul Detention Center. Meanwhile, photos showing former presidents being transferred to detention centers have been gaining attention online.
On the 16th, an internet community posted a thread titled "Jeon Du-hwan - Roh Tae-woo - Lee Myung-bak - Park Geun-hye - Yoon Seok-yeol Detention Center SHOT." The author arranged photos of former presidents Jeon Du-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, and President Yoon Seok-yeol sitting in the back seat of vehicles heading to detention centers, writing, "Truly historic. Historic."
The first case of a former president being detained in the history of the constitutional government was former President Roh Tae-woo. During his term, Roh was arrested in 1995 on charges of receiving bribes amounting to 283.8 billion won from conglomerate heads including Kim Woo-joong, chairman of Daewoo Group. After overnight interrogation, he was imprisoned at Seoul Detention Center. Following Roh's detention, former President Jeon Du-hwan was summoned by prosecutors on charges including rebellion and slush fund creation, and was arrested in 1995 on charges of rebellion and bribery. Both presidents were granted special pardons in 1997.
In the 2000s, former President Park Geun-hye was detained in 2017 on charges including state affairs manipulation, bribery, and abuse of power. Former President Lee Myung-bak was also detained in 2018 on bribery charges. Park was granted a special pardon in 2021, and Lee in 2022.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection, completed his investigation at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCC) in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 15th and is moving by vehicle to Seoul Detention Center. Joint coverage by Yonhap News Agency
Netizens who saw the photos of former presidents heading to detention centers expressed various reactions such as "I hope this is the last time," "This should be hung in the National Assembly," "Why do people want to become president when they all end up in prison?" "A masterpiece," "The national dignity is melting away," "A shameful sight. They should reflect," "Their expressions are all similar," and "What is power?"
On the 15th, President Yoon was arrested by the PCC and police at his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and transferred to the PCC in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. After 10 hours and 40 minutes of interrogation at the PCC, President Yoon was transferred to Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, around 9:49 p.m. As of the 16th, it is reported that President Yoon is refusing to respond to the PCC's re-investigation due to health reasons.
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