Jung Sungho: "Difficult to Release CCTV Footage of Yoon's Arrest Warrant Execution to the Public"

Minister Jung: “Will Seek Ways to Allow Viewing if Approved by Standing Committee”

Minister of Justice Jung Sungho stated on August 26 that it is virtually impossible to release to the public the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing the execution of the arrest warrant for former President Yoon Sukyeol.

At the plenary session of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held that day, Minister Jung said, "It would be somewhat difficult to disclose to the public any unpleasant scenes that occurred during the execution of the arrest warrant for someone who once served as the President of the Republic of Korea."

On August 1, the special counsel team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, attempted to execute an arrest warrant for former President Yoon. However, Yoon resisted without even wearing a prison uniform. Former President Yoon also refused to comply during a second attempt to execute the arrest warrant on August 7.

However, Minister Jung added, "If a standing committee of the National Assembly passes a resolution in accordance with the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly, we will seek ways to allow many lawmakers to review the footage, instead of releasing it to the public."

Yonhap News

The Democratic Party of Korea plans to convene the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to approve the viewing of the CCTV footage at Seoul Detention Center and conduct an on-site inspection at the center on September 1. The intention is to directly review the CCTV footage at Seoul Detention Center.

Kim Hyunjung, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson in the National Assembly, told reporters that morning, "Although the final decision will be made by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, there are differing opinions within the party's countermeasures meeting on whether to view the footage. If lawmakers from both parties view the CCTV footage, making it public could become a source of political dispute, so we are reviewing the matter comprehensively."