Ministry of Justice Confirms Preferential Treatment for Yoon...Kang Uigu Reported for Bringing in Mobile Phone

"Attorney Visits Lasted Longer Than Those of Other Inmates"

The Ministry of Justice, which investigated allegations of preferential treatment during former President Yoon Sukyeol's detention at the Seoul Detention Center, has announced that it will file a complaint and initiate an inspection against Kang Uigu, former Presidential Secretary's Office Chief, for bringing a mobile phone into the detention center's secure area.

On September 3, the Ministry of Justice issued a press release stating, "The investigation into allegations of preferential treatment has revealed certain issues in detention management, such as attorney visits and the introduction of items by external individuals into secure areas."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after completing the detention hearing (warrant review) on July 9. Photo by Yonhap News

First, the ministry reported that in February of this year, Kang was found to have brought a mobile phone into the secure area of the correctional facility without the warden's permission. On the same day, the Seoul Detention Center filed a complaint with the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency, accusing Kang of violating the Act on the Execution of Criminal Penalties. Previously, suspicions had been raised that Kang had brought a mobile phone during a visit and handed it to former President Yoon.

The Ministry of Justice also explained that it had found operational irregularities, such as former President Yoon meeting with his attorney for excessively long periods compared to other inmates, especially on weekends, holidays, and after regular weekday hours.

Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho has ordered an inspection into the issues uncovered by the fact-finding investigation and called for improvements to the relevant regulations and systems.

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