South Korea’s impeached former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has once again defied efforts by prosecutors to interrogate him, this time by lying on the floor of his prison cell in his underwear.
The dramatic standoff occurred on Thursday after prosecutors secured a fresh arrest warrant to compel Yoon’s appearance for questioning over allegations of election tampering.
According to prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee, the former president refused to cooperate, choosing instead to lie on the floor without wearing his prison-issued uniform.
“Due to concerns over safety incidents, physical force was withheld, and the execution of the warrant was temporarily suspended,” she told reporters. Yoon was described as wearing a sleeveless top and prison-issued briefs, a detail prosecutors said was necessary to convey the seriousness of the situation.
Yoon, who was removed from office in April following a failed attempt to impose martial law by deploying troops to parliament on December 3, faces multiple charges including insurrection and election interference.
Despite repeated summons, he has consistently refused to appear before investigators.
His legal team condemned the prosecutors’ handling of the situation, accusing them of violating basic human dignity.
“The special counsel turned what should have been a press briefing into a stage for personal humiliation,” said Yoon’s lawyer, Yoo Jeong-hwa.
He also criticized the public commentary on Yoon’s attire, especially given the extreme heat in the detention facility, which reportedly reached 40°C (104°F).
Yoon’s lawyers cited his deteriorating health and underlying medical conditions as reasons for his non-compliance.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Justice Minister, Jung Sung-ho, expressed dismay over the former president’s conduct, calling it “frankly embarrassing.” He assured lawmakers that Yoon would be treated with dignity, without any preferential treatment due to his former status.
Prosecutors have warned that physical force may be used in future attempts to enforce the warrant if Yoon continues to resist.
The case remains a flashpoint in South Korea’s political landscape, drawing scrutiny over legal procedures and the treatment of high-profile detainees.
