Kim’s Health Deteriorates,
Unable to Eat Properly
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, former President Yoon Sukyeol received Carbo Buldak Bokkeum Myeon (spicy carbonara chicken stir-fried noodles) and Kim Keonhee was served patbingsu (red bean shaved ice) as special lunch meals. Currently, former President Yoon is being held at the Seoul Detention Center, while Kim is detained at the Seoul Nambu Detention Center.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Geonhee are talking inside a car as they leave the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on April 11, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju
According to correctional authorities on the 15th, correctional facilities nationwide provided an additional special meal to inmates at lunchtime on Liberation Day. The budget for the special meal was set at up to 1,700 won per person.
The Seoul Detention Center, where former President Yoon is incarcerated, served Carbo Buldak Bokkeum Myeon and Seolreim ice cream. The Seoul Nambu Detention Center, where Kim is being held, provided patbingsu and black bean soy milk.
The provision of special meals in correctional facilities is based on Article 29 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates. This regulation allows for special foods to be served on national holidays or equivalent days. Accordingly, special menus are provided on holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok, as well as on other public holidays.
Kim's Health Deteriorates, Unable to Eat Properly
However, it is reported that Kim is currently unable to eat properly due to her health condition. After reports surfaced that Kim had refused meals following her admission to a general cell at the Seoul Nambu Detention Center, her side denied these claims the previous day, stating, "That is not true," and explained, "Kim's health is very poor, making it difficult for her to eat. She is unable to digest food properly." For her first meal after admission, Kim received bread, strawberry jam, milk, grilled frank sausage, and a vegetable salad. The cost per meal was reported to be 1,733 won. For lunch, she was served kimchi stew and sweet and sour dumplings, while for dinner, she received cucumber cold soup, seasoned vegetables, a fried egg, and young radish kimchi.
Meanwhile, former President Yoon was arrested on July 10 by the special investigation team for insurrection (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunsuk), and Kim was arrested on the 12th by the special investigation team for Kim Keonhee (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jungki). This is the first time in the country's constitutional history that a former presidential couple has been detained simultaneously. On the previous day, Kim underwent her first post-arrest interrogation at the special prosecutor's office in Gwanghwamun. However, the questioning ended earlier than expected, lasting about four hours in total, with the actual interrogation time, excluding breaks, being just over two hours. The special prosecutor's office stated that Kim exercised her right to remain silent for most of the questioning and has summoned her again for 10 a.m. on the 18th.
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