President Yoon's visitation ban lifted... Actual family visits likely to remain difficult

by Lee Hyeonjoo

Published 26 Jan.2025 11:14(KST)

HCIA Lifts Ban on Visits Except for Legal Counsel

The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) is reported to have lifted the restriction on visits to President Yoon Seok-yeol, which previously prohibited visits except by legal counsel.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the HCIA sent a decision document to cancel the visitation ban for President Yoon to the Seoul Detention Center, where President Yoon is held, around the 24th, the day after transferring the case to the prosecution.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the 4th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Joint Press Corps, Yonhap News Agency

The HCIA reportedly canceled the visitation ban, judging that since the case was transferred to the prosecution, it was impossible to take additional measures regarding personal liberty. The prosecution also did not reimpose any visitation restrictions, so President Yoon is currently allowed visits from individuals other than his legal counsel.

Previously, on the 19th, when the HCIA obtained an arrest warrant for President Yoon, it sent a decision document to the Seoul Detention Center prohibiting visits to the suspect. The HCIA explained that this was "a measure to prevent the destruction of evidence by blocking visits from family and outside personnel."

However, considering that the Lunar New Year holiday lasts until the 30th, it is expected to be difficult for President Yoon to actually meet with family members and others. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Execution of Sentences Act, inmate visits must take place during working hours excluding public holidays, and the warden of the detention center may allow visits outside of these hours only if deemed especially necessary.