Shin Yong-hae, Head of the Correction Headquarters, Appears at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee
"Transferred to a 3.6-pyeong Detention Block After Arrest Warrant Issued"
On the afternoon of the 15th, President Yoon Seok-yeol, after completing an investigation at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo) in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, was transferred to Seoul Detention Center. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 19th, President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was detained, was reportedly transferred to a solitary confinement cell in the general detention block of Seoul Detention Center.
On the 20th, Shin Yong-hae, head of the Ministry of Justice Correction Headquarters, appeared at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's current issues inquiry and stated, "(President Yoon) has completed the transfer from the detainee waiting room to the general detention block, and I received a report that he spent the night well in the general detention block."
Director Shin explained, "He was housed in one of the common rooms where general inmates stay," adding, "It is about 3.6 to 3.7 pyeong, similar to the rooms used by former presidents." President Yoon was moved to the detention block around the evening of the previous day, and the solitary room he uses is known to normally accommodate 5 to 6 general inmates.
The room where President Yoon stays is reportedly equipped with a television, locker, sink, a single-person desk that doubles as a dining table, a toilet, and cleaning supplies. He must sleep on a blanket laid on the floor, which is covered with an electric heating pad.
Director Shin stated that President Yoon underwent a physical examination just like other general inmates and had his photo taken for the detention record, commonly called a 'mug shot.' When asked if there was any resistance during the process, he replied, "I received a report that he cooperated well with the procedures without any special resistance."
Regarding extreme claims by some radical supporters to rescue President Yoon, Director Shin said, "We are thoroughly securing the perimeter in cooperation with the police and are also working with the security office to ensure there are no issues with protection," adding, "Even if there are talks about extracting the president from the detention center, such an event will not occur."
The correctional authorities also announced that, considering President Yoon's status as the incumbent president and security concerns, a dedicated correctional officer has been assigned separately.
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