The cell of the first detained president: “Cereal and a blanket on the floor”

This is the first time in South Korean history that a head of state has been detained while in office. According to the Washington Post, Yoon Suk Yeol is being held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center. Yoon, who is reportedly being held in this cell under equal conditions with other prisoners, was interrogated by authorities for more than 10 hours. It is reported that the cells usually contain thick blankets that can be spread on the floor as makeshift beds, and Yoon is not allowed to have any items that could be lethal. Kim Yong Hyun, the country’s former defense minister who faces charges related to the declaration of martial law, tried to hang himself last month using prison-issued underwear at a different facility.

Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last month, became the first South Korean president to be detained while in office.
The American newspaper Washington Post reported on the conditions at the detention center where Yoon is being held.
According to the Washington Post, Yoon is being held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center.
Here, he is served a breakfast of cereal, hard-boiled eggs, nuts and milk, which is nothing like the rich meals he is accustomed to.
South Korea’s detention centers have a lot of experience handling high-profile detainees, from former presidents to businessmen. But this is the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has been held in these centers.
Yoon was detained on charges of sedition in connection with his alleged attempts to declare martial law and have lawmakers from the opposing party arrested.
When the South Korean leader was removed from office last month, his presidential powers were also suspended.
But technically he remains in office while the Constitutional Court reviews the ruling.
Yoon was taken to the High Officials Corruption Investigation Office in southern Seoul after being detained on Wednesday morning. Prosecutors questioned him for more than 10 hours. Yoon refused to cooperate.
The security team refused to give details about the cell where Yoon was being held.
It was reported that there are usually thick blankets spread out on the floor in the cells that serve as temporary beds.
It was stated that the toilets in the cells are usually surrounded by walls and these walls are semi-transparent so that correctional officers can watch for potential suicide attempts. Yoon, like other inmates, was not allowed to take potentially lethal items such as belts or ties.
Kim Yong Hyun, South Korea’s former defense minister who faces charges related to the declaration of martial law, tried to hang himself at a different facility last month using prison-issued underwear.
The Seoul Detention Center, built in 1987, has previously served as a holding facility for high-profile prisoners. In 2021, Samsung boss Jay Y. Lee was detained there after being accused of corruption.
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