Jung Criticizes Yoon Sukyeol's Camp for Their Attitude
"No Special Treatment for a Detainee Charged with Insurrection"
"Brazen Behavior... This Is Not a Hotel Stay"
Amid recent complaints from former President Yoon Sukyeol’s side about the difficulties of prison life, Minister of Justice Sung Ho Jung pointed out, “Former President Yoon must recognize that he is merely a detainee under arrest on charges of insurrection and is in no position to demand special treatment.”
On October 1, through his social media account, Minister Jung stated, “Former President Yoon appears in court and complains that ‘surviving’ in his cell is difficult, while his legal team nitpicks about the meals at the detention center, grumbling about the food. At this rate, it would not be surprising if they soon demand a two-room cell or even the installation of a food delivery app. Such shameless and brazen behavior is unacceptable.”
He continued, “I hope former President Yoon does not forget that he is currently detained at a detention center under arrest on charges of attempting to overthrow the Republic of Korea. He is not staying at a hotel.” He added, “All of these circumstances have been brought on by the defendant himself, who has abandoned the dignity of a former president and, without remorse, is mocking the judicial system through legal maneuvering and agitation. Just as all citizens are equal, every detainee inside the detention center must also be treated equally.”
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending a trial on charges of obstructing special official duties held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul on the 26th of last month. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Previously, on September 26, during a bail hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, former President Yoon stated, “It is difficult just to survive in a 1.8-pyeong (approximately 6 square meters) solitary cell.” On September 29, Yoon’s legal representative, attorney Kim Gyeri, posted a video titled “We Request Bail for President Yoon Sukyeol” on his YouTube channel, partially disclosing details from the bail hearing.
In the video, attorney Kim explained, “Trials for the ringleader of an insurrection usually start at 10:10 a.m. and end as early as 5 p.m. or as late as 8 p.m. In order to attend morning trials that typically start at 10 a.m., ordinary detainees leave their facilities at 8:50 a.m. However, the defendant (Yoon Sukyeol) must finish preparing for departure by around 7 a.m. due to the need for separate escort.”
He continued, “For example, to prepare for a departure for a bail review, the defendant must wake up at 6 a.m. to be ready by 7 a.m., which means he cannot have a proper breakfast and ends up having instant noodles and crackers for lunch. Dinner is served as early as 4:30 p.m., and upon returning to the detention center, there is either no dinner or, if notified in advance, only a small portion of rice is prepared.”
He went on to say, “If the defendant must attend all trials, which will be held four times a week, and also appear for special prosecutor investigations, there will be virtually no days except weekends when he can have a proper meal. Such a schedule seriously undermines the defendant’s chronic health conditions and well-being. This is not only a matter of the right to defense not being guaranteed, but also a human rights issue, as it could threaten the defendant’s eyesight and even his life.”
The court is currently reviewing whether to grant bail to former President Yoon. Although he has refused to attend the insurrection trial, he did appear at the first hearing on additional charges of obstructing special official duties, which was prosecuted by the special investigation team on September 26, as well as the subsequent bail hearing.
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