Yoon: "Just Surviving Is Difficult, Hard to Respond to Trials and Special Prosecutor's Investigation"

Yoon Speaks Directly at Bail Hearing...
"Not in Critical Condition, But Appearing Here Is Difficult"
"If Granted Bail, I Will Cooperate Actively With the Judicial Process While Exercising"

Former President Yoon Sukyeol stated that it would be difficult for him to respond to both the trial and the special prosecutor's investigation while in detention.

During the bail hearing (release under conditions such as a deposit) held on September 26 by the 35th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Baek Daehyun), former President Yoon, when given the opportunity to speak directly, said, "I have to attend court four to five times a week and must appear if summoned by the special prosecutor, but I cannot do that while in detention."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol bows his head in greeting as he attends the first trial on charges of "obstruction of special official duties and abuse of authority to interfere with the exercise of rights" at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on September 26, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

In response to the court's question, "Why are you not attending the trial for the separate case?" former President Yoon replied, "After being detained, just surviving in a 1.8-pyeong (approximately 6 square meters) cell was extremely difficult," adding, "They do not allow me to leave the cell, and unless it is a violent crime, there is some unconstitutionality in this."

He also emphasized, "The special prosecutor calls this a speedy trial, but it is the special prosecutor who has repeatedly delayed the proceedings," and added, "When I was not detained, I diligently attended both the trials and the special prosecutor's summons."

Former President Yoon further stated, "A new summons has arrived for an investigation into foreign exchange offenses, but once I start responding, I have no idea how many times I will be called," and continued, "I have to attend court four to five times a week, and if the special prosecutor calls me on weekends, I must go. It is impossible to respond to all of this while in detention," he said emphatically.

Regarding his health, he said, "I am not in a life-threatening condition where I cannot breathe, but just appearing here is already a challenge," and added, "If you grant me bail, I will exercise a bit in the morning and evening, follow a diabetic diet, and cooperate with the judicial process."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the first trial on charges of 'obstruction of special official duties and abuse of power to obstruct the exercise of rights' held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Former President Yoon also criticized the special prosecutor's team for investigating him. He argued, "Looking at the charges brought against me, I am not sure if they are really grounds to indict a former president," and insisted, "The president has a lot of discretionary power, and frankly, these charges are extremely trivial."

When the court asked, "If your bail request is granted and you are released, will you attend the trial diligently, and if you remain in detention, are you saying you will refuse to appear?" former President Yoon replied, "It's not so much a refusal, but physically it is very difficult to handle everything smoothly," and added, "Realistically, attending court several times a week is not something I think I can manage."