South Korea, long celebrated as a vibrant democracy and reliable Western ally, now faces international scrutiny over the detention of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.
From Martial Law to Impeachment
On 3 December 2024, South Korea was shaken when President Yoon declared martial law, triggering a constitutional crisis. Just 11 days later, on 14 December, the National Assembly impeached Yoon, with 204 of 300 lawmakers voting in favor. The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment unanimously on 4 April 2025, concluding that Yoon had committed five major illegal acts, including ordering the military and police to block lawmakers, directing the arrest of judges and Supreme Court justices, and illegally imposing martial law.
The fallout was immediate. Acting presidents rotated rapidly - Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, first deputy prime minister Choi Sang-mok, and second deputy prime minister Lee Ju-ho - until a snap election on 3 June 2025 installed Lee Jae Myung as Yoon’s successor. Public opinion had turned sharply against Yoon throughout 2024, and the martial law declaration intensified concerns that democratic safeguards were at risk.
Yoon’s Solitary Confinement
Since his re-arrest, Yoon has been held at the Seoul Detention Center. Attorney Shin Pyung, described as a mentor to Yoon, visited him on July 25, 2025, reporting that Yoon is confined in a solitary cell measuring 1.7–1.8 pyeong (≈5.6–6.0 m²). According to Shin, the cell lacks a table or chair, and Yoon reportedly eats meals while crouched in front of a cardboard stand, which also serves as a surface for reading scripture. Shin noted that Yoon has limited intellectual activity and no exercise, contributing to digestive issues.
The Ministry of Justice disputes these claims, asserting that Yoon is held in a standard solitary cell with basic necessities, including a fan, and is granted outdoor exercise under the same rules as other inmates, albeit alone.
During hospital transfers, reports indicate that Yoon was forced to wear both handcuffs and an electronic ankle bracelet.
According to international standards, including the UN Mandela Rules and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), prisoners must be treated humanely, with adequate space, and access to medical care.
A Second Arrest Behind Bars
Even while already in detention, Yoon Suk-yeol faced two attempts of a “second arrest,” first on August 1 and again on August 7, 2025. These in-prison arrest attempts were tied to investigations into alleged misconduct involving Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, as well as new charges linked to his administration’s actions during the December 2024 martial law crisis. The incident caused widespread debate over legality, human rights, and the extraordinary treatment of a political figure already in custody.
Reports indicate the attempt involved lifting him from a chair, causing injuries to his back and arms, a scenario unprecedented for any former head of state. On September 1, 2025, Democratic Party lawmakers reviewed CCTV footage from Seoul Detention Center showing Yoon Suk-yeol partially undressed while resisting the execution of an arrest warrant.
Kim Keon-hee has been detained since August 12, 2025, and her health has reportedly deteriorated sharply. She has suffered dangerously low blood pressure, with risk of organ failure, and anxiety disorders.
International standards, including the UN Mandela Rules (Rule 24) and ICCPR Article 10, require states to treat all detainees with humanity and dignity, which includes providing prompt and adequate medical care. Denial or delay of treatment in life-threatening situations may therefore constitute a violation of these standards, drawing scrutiny from human rights observers.
Justice or a Show Trial?
On September 1, 2025, the ruling Democratic Party has proposed a “Special Tribunal for Rebellion”, widely seen by opposition lawmakers and commentators as targeting Yoon and his allies. Critics liken it to historically politicized tribunals, while ruling party officials claim it responds to a “national demand.”
Creating tribunals designed for prosecution raises questions under ICCPR Article 14, which guarantees the right to a fair trial before a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal.
Economic Pressure
On September 3, 2025, Kim Kyung-ho, a lawyer representing over 11,000 citizens, announced plans to seize more than €200,000 from former President Yoon Suk-yeol's prison deposit funds. These funds, donated by supporters, were intended for essential expenses such as food, medicine, and legal costs during his detention. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the citizens, seeks damages related to the December 3, 2024, martial law declaration, alleging that Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, caused public harm. Each plaintiff reportedly seeks a symbolic amount, intensifying pressure on the couple.
Eroding Safeguards
Taken together, these events — spanning detention conditions, medical concerns, special tribunals, and economic measures — have drawn intense scrutiny at home and abroad. The unfolding proceedings involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former First Lady Kim Keon-hee are widely seen as a test of South Korea’s democratic integrity.
Observers emphasize that only transparent procedures and humane treatment can ensure accountability is regarded as justice rather than political reprisal. The way these cases are managed will not only shape domestic trust in the judiciary but also influence how South Korea’s resilience as a democracy is judged globally.
Anonymous
Source requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
