MB, Reincarcerated Today... Transferred to Dongbu Detention Center After Health and Identity Check at Prosecutor's Office (Comprehensive)

MB Reincarcerated Today at Seoul Eastern Detention Center
Prosecutors Verify Health and Identity Before Transfer
Reporters and YouTubers Gathered Outside Residence Since Morning
Likely to Be Held in Solitary Cell at Detention Center

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seungyoon Song and intern Sungwon Kim] Former President Lee Myung-bak, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court, will be re-incarcerated at Dongbu Detention Center on the afternoon of the 2nd.

On that day, around 1:48 p.m., former President Lee departed from his residence in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office about 12 minutes later. He left his home by car without showing himself to the public and entered the prosecutors' underground parking lot directly, avoiding exposure to the press.

From early morning that day, dozens of reporters and protesters gathered in front of the former president’s residence. Police and security guards controlling the scene were stationed around the residence and moved busily. A YouTuber held a one-person protest urging a national apology from the former president and his swift detention. This YouTuber also staged solo protests on the 29th of last month, when the Supreme Court ruling was announced, and the day before. Some YouTubers attempted to place congratulatory wreaths reading "Congratulations Lee Myung-bak Detained" in front of the residence or tried to knock on the door but were stopped by the police. This atmosphere continued into the afternoon, but no major clashes occurred.

Supporters close to the former president, including People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong and Jang Je-won, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, gradually gathered in front of the residence in the afternoon. When the vehicle carrying former President Lee appeared, these supporters repeatedly chanted his name in front of the police control line.

After arriving at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, former President Lee will undergo identity and health checks before being transferred to Dongbu Detention Center in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. He is expected to be housed in a single cell at Dongbu Detention Center. This measure considers the precedent for housing former presidents, and a dedicated correctional officer will be assigned. However, procedures such as physical examination, confiscation of personal belongings, and photographing for the detention record (commonly known as a mugshot) will be conducted in the same manner as for ordinary inmates. Dongbu Detention Center is where he was held for one year from March 22, 2018, when an arrest warrant was issued during the prosecution investigation, until he was released on bail in March of the following year. After incarceration, classification screening will be conducted, and after prison assignment, he will be transferred to the designated prison according to procedures.

Former President Lee was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court on the 29th of last month on charges including embezzlement and bribery. If incarcerated this time, he must serve the remaining 16 years of his sentence, excluding the one year he spent in detention during previous investigations and trials. He is 80 years old by Korean age this year, meaning he would be released in the winter when he is approaching 96 years old. However, as he has continuously raised health concerns, there is a possibility of variables during the incarceration period, such as suspension of sentence execution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.