(FILES) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden (not pictured) at the People's House in Seoul on May 21, 2022. South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol resisted prosecutors' attempts to interrogate him by lying down on the floor in just his underwear, lawyers said on August 1, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol staged a dramatic protest against prosecutors’ attempts to interrogate him by lying on the floor of his prison cell in his underwear, authorities said on Friday.
The former leader, currently in custody over a series of grave charges including insurrection and election tampering, reportedly resisted efforts by investigators to enforce a fresh arrest warrant issued Thursday for compulsory questioning.
“The suspect refused arrest while lying on the floor without wearing his prison-issued clothing,” prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee told reporters during a press briefing.
She added that Yoon was wearing “a sleeveless top and prison-issued briefs,” which prosecutors described as “the most appropriate way” to describe his attire, given the sensitivity of the situation.
Authorities said that, out of concern for possible safety risks, physical force was not used during the encounter, and the execution of the warrant was temporarily suspended. Prosecutors, however, warned that future attempts could involve the use of physical force if necessary.
Escalating Legal Drama
Yoon was arrested late last year after he tried to impose martial law on December 3, 2024, deploying military forces to the National Assembly in a failed attempt to block lawmakers from overturning his emergency declaration. The move triggered a constitutional crisis and mass protests that led to his impeachment and arrest.
He now faces a slew of charges including abuse of power, insurrection, election manipulation, and obstruction of legislative duties. Despite multiple summonses, Yoon has consistently refused to appear for questioning.
Legal Team Condemns “Public Humiliation”
Yoon’s lawyers strongly criticized the prosecutors’ conduct, accusing them of deliberately dehumanizing the former president in front of the media.
“The special counsel turned what should have been a press briefing into a stage for personal humiliation,” Yoon’s attorney Yoo Jeong-hwa said in a statement to AFP.
“What kind of legal institution in a civilised country gives a real-time report and commentary to journalists on a detainee’s clothing, especially in a cramped cell nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104°F)?”
The legal team also cited Yoon’s “underlying health conditions” as a factor in his inability to comply fully with investigative procedures.
Justice Minister: “Embarrassing Behavior”
During a parliamentary hearing on Friday, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho expressed frustration at Yoon’s actions, describing the incident as a national embarrassment.
“It is frankly embarrassing for a former president to behave that way,” Jung said.
“He had been wearing a short-sleeved top and trousers but reportedly removed his prison uniform when the special counsel team attempted to enforce the arrest warrant, only to put it back on immediately after they left.”
The minister emphasized that Yoon would be treated with “appropriate dignity,” despite his past office, and that there would be no perception of special treatment in handling the case.
The standoff further deepens the political and legal quagmire surrounding Yoon’s downfall an extraordinary chapter in South Korea’s democratic history.
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