Only the Democratic Party and Cho Kuk Innovation Party Attend Amid People Power Party's Absence
Video Footage Contradicts Claims of Injury
It has been confirmed that former President Yoon Seok-youl was in his underwear during both attempts to arrest him. Members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee also stated that the claims of former President Yoon being injured during the arrest process are not true.
On September 1, Legislation and Judiciary Committee members from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party conducted an on-site inspection at Seoul Detention Center, where they reviewed CCTV footage and other records related to the arrest attempts of former President Yoon. Assemblyman Kim Yongmin, who serves as the Democratic Party's secretary on the committee, told reporters after reviewing the footage, "As has been reported, the special prosecutor did not violate human rights or engage in excessive enforcement. The process was carried out in accordance with due process after proper notification." He added, "The arrest attempt effectively failed due to the unreasonable refusal and sophistry of former President Yoon and his legal counsel." Previously, the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki (Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor Team) had attempted to arrest former President Yoon on the 1st and 7th of last month.
Assemblyman Kim explained, "During the first attempt, former President Yoon was lying down in his underwear and strongly resisted, insisting that no force could be used against him. He refused to comply, speaking informally, telling them not to touch him or demanding to see his lawyer." He continued, "During the second attempt, he was sitting in his underwear, reading what appeared to be a Bible, and again refused to comply. When a correctional officer told him to get dressed and come out, former President Yoon replied with statements such as, 'How can you enforce this when I am continuing to refuse?' and continued to resist."
Choo Mi-ae, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is delivering opening remarks at an on-site inspection held at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. On this day, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee plans to verify whether former President Yoon Seok-youl received any special treatment during his detention and to check through CCTV and other video records if there was any resistance involving the removal of clothing when he was requested to appear before the special prosecutor. 2025.9.1 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
He also clarified that the claims of former President Yoon being injured were not true. Assemblyman Kim stated, "Based on the footage, I believe the claims that former President Yoon was injured are false. The only physical action taken during the arrest was pulling out the chair on which he was sitting with his legs crossed; there was no forced dragging or anything of the sort. Former President Yoon voluntarily got down to the floor to refuse the arrest, and when the arrest was abandoned, he stood up and walked away on his own." Previously, former President Yoon's legal team had claimed that the special prosecutor's team used excessive force in executing the warrant, resulting in injury.
Regarding former President Yoon's condition, Assemblyman Kim stated, "He is in good health, exercises daily, and receives medical treatment at outside hospitals as needed. I was told there are currently no unusual circumstances or objections."
Assemblywoman Seo Youngkyo of the Democratic Party pointed out, "When the special prosecutor came to execute the arrest warrant and opened the door, former President Yoon was not wearing an undershirt, and surprisingly, his lower garment was also just underwear. He refused arrest, threatened the correctional officers, and used his legal knowledge to obstruct official duties. His lawyers also hindered the arrest by refusing to leave despite requests from the correctional officers." She added, "What other criminal in Korea could behave this way? I witnessed the lawlessness of the ringleader of an insurrection still acting as a boss in the detention center, refusing to comply with the law at will."
Assemblywoman Jun Hyunhee of the Democratic Party said, "I was deeply distressed after reviewing the CCTV footage. According to the Seoul Detention Center, this is the first time in history that a detainee has refused to comply with the execution of an arrest warrant in this manner."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
