Prosecutors investigating former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife attempted to execute an arrest warrant for Yoon on Thursday morning, but the effort failed after what officials described as his “fierce resistance.”
The “Kim Keon-hee special counsel team,” which is probing corruption allegations involving Yoon’s spouse, arrived at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, around 8:30 a.m. local time. Nearly two-and-a-half hours later, at about 10:50 a.m., the team left empty-handed.
The arrest warrant—approved by a court on July 31 and valid until Aug. 7—was issued after Yoon repeatedly refused to appear for questioning. Officials said they refrained from using force to remove the former leader from his cell, citing safety concerns.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo, accompanied by a prosecutor and an investigator, directed prison guards to bring Yoon out. Yoon, however, refused to cooperate, at one point removing his prison uniform and lying on the floor, according to Yonhap News Agency. Prosecutors said they made four separate attempts, spaced roughly 20 to 30 minutes apart, to secure his compliance during the 2-hour operation, but each was rebuffed. They warned that they will use compulsory measures next time and urged Yoon—a former prosecutor general—to follow the law.
Justice Minister Chung Seong-ho confirmed that Yoon had removed his prison clothing in protest, a violation of detention center dress rules. In summer months, inmates are required to wear short-sleeved shirts and shorts between 6:20 a.m. and 9 p.m., and extended violations can result in disciplinary points. Officials said Yoon resumed wearing the uniform once prosecutors left.
Chung called the episode “embarrassing” and said the detention center would tighten enforcement of regulations to avoid perceptions of special treatment. He also pledged to review whether any rules were broken during visits to Yoon, after the ruling party alleged he had received 348 visitors while in custody.
Yoon’s legal troubles began last December, when he declared emergency martial law. Days later, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion, suspending his powers. He was first arrested Jan. 15, becoming the first sitting president in South Korean constitutional history to be taken into custody. He was released on March 8. On April 4, the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, formally removing him from office. A second arrest warrant, tied to the martial law probe, was issued on July 10, leading to his detention at Seoul Detention Center.
