South Korea: Yoon moved to solitary cell at Seoul Detention Center

by IANS |

Seoul, Jan 20 (IANS) Detained President Yoon Suk Yeol has been moved to a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center's general wing after he was placed under formal arrest over the weekend, a correctional official said Monday.


Yoon was transferred to the 12-square-metre cell at the detention center in Uiwang, south of Seoul, on Sunday after the Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant for his formal arrest, according to Shin Yong-hae, commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service.


"(Yoon) was moved from a holding room for suspects to the general detention wing, and (I) received a report that he spent the night well," Shin told lawmakers during a session of the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee.


According to Shin, Yoon's cell, which is known to usually hold five or six people, is similar in size to those where past presidents have been detained, Yonhap news agency reported.


The official told lawmakers that Yoon cooperated with official procedures for his detention, such as taking a mug shot and undergoing a physical exam, noting that a personal correctional officer has been designated for his safety.


Shin said his office is also cooperating with the police and the Presidential Security Service to ensure security amid concerns over Yoon's supporters possibly taking drastic action, such as attempting to free the detained president.


Earlier in the day, Yoon's lawyers said that he will not appear for further questioning over his failed martial law bid Monday, .


Yoon has been ordered by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to appear for questioning at 10 a.m. after he failed to appear the previous day, Yonhap news agency reported.


The CIO is expected to forcibly bring him in or visit him at the Seoul Detention Center where he has been held since last Wednesday if he continues to resist the orders.


Yoon was placed under formal arrest early Sunday after a court issued a warrant to extend his detention over concerns he might destroy evidence.

Latest News
AAP candidates' poaching: ACB sleuths not allowed to enter Kejriwal's house Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 05:01 PM
Insult to humanity: DK Shivakumar condemns 'shackling' of Indian deportees by US Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:49 PM
Plane with 10 onboard missing in Alaska Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:47 PM
Railway to start running electric trains in southern Assam and Tripura soon Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:44 PM
Pakistan: Security forces harass farmers, forcibly collect electricity bills in Punjab province Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:43 PM
Sensex, Nifty end lower as investors assess RBI MPC decision Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:40 PM
Four killed, several injured in firecracker factory blast at Bengal's Kalyani Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:19 PM
Gujarat govt withdraws sedition cases against Patidar leaders Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 04:07 PM
AAP will secure victory in over 50 seats, says Gopal Rai Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:26 PM
Warmth, hospitality by Prez Droupadi Murmu made my Rashtrapati Bhavan visit special: Sachin Tendulkar Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:23 PM
59 cases of HMPV reported from 11 states in January: Prataprao Jadhav Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:18 PM
RBI defers rollout of LCR norms by a year in big relief to banks Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:14 PM
UN announces 15 innovation hubs to fuel digital transformation in Kenya Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:08 PM
Zambia assures stable HIV drug supply despite US funding halt Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:07 PM
NDA MPs from Bihar thank PM Modi for budget bonanza, gift him Madhubani paintings Fri, Feb 07, 2025, 03:06 PM