Yoon's detention in 'Seoul Detention Center environment'… "No air conditioning in summer makes it like a sauna"

As former President Yoon Seok-yeol has been re-arrested, attention is focused on the environment and living conditions of Seoul Detention Center, where he will stay.

Located in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul Detention Center boasts the largest scale among correctional facilities in the country. According to the Ministry of Justice, there are currently over 3,000 inmates residing there.

The biggest pain point for inmates at Seoul Detention Center is the lack of cooling facilities. The living quarters do not have air conditioning, making the suffering from the heat during the summer intense.

The only cooling device is a small fan attached to the ceiling, which automatically shuts off after a certain period.

Former President Lee Myung-bak also had to be hospitalized due to exacerbation of sleep apnea and diabetes caused by the heat during his detention. It has been reported that former President Park Geun-hye endured summer by relying on frozen bottles of water and a fan.

Officials at the detention center said, "On extremely hot days, inmates pour cold water over their bodies to cope with the heat."

Infrequent meat side dishes… Shared living principle, solitary confinement is exceptional

The menu at Seoul Detention Center is planned on a weekly basis, and breakfast includes simple offerings such as bread, potatoes, porridge, and milk.

Lunch and dinner consist of rice, soup, and two to three side dishes. Meat side dishes are provided two to three times a week, and napa cabbage kimchi is served at every meal. Ordering food delivery from outside or having family members bring meals is not permitted.

The first meal that former President Yoon encountered included mini cheese bread, steamed potatoes, salt, mixed nuts, and processed milk. Lunch consisted of soybean paste stew, steamed eggs, cucumber and onion salad, and napa cabbage kimchi; dinner included bean sprout soup, gochujang bulgogi, peppers, ssamjang, and napa cabbage kimchi.

Inmates at Seoul Detention Center are generally assigned to shared rooms with 4 to 10 people, rather than private cells.

Private cells are only exceptionally allowed for reasons of safety, health, or security. In the case of former President Yoon, who has been detained after stepping down from the presidential position, he is not a special security target, but it is speculated that he may be assigned to separate accommodations based on previous cases of former presidents.

However, it would not be surprising if he is assigned to a shared room.

Strict rules and controls… Limited external contact

Inmates wake up at 6:00 AM and follow a schedule consisting of roll call, breakfast, work time, exercise time, dinner, roll call again, and bedtime.

Exercise time is allotted for about 30 minutes to 1 hour a day, and only light walking, calisthenics, and stretching are permitted in the exercise yard.

Except for meetings with lawyers, external contact is strictly controlled. Letters and meeting contents are all subject to censorship, and family visits can only occur on designated days and times. Books that can be read while imprisoned must undergo censorship, and haircuts are offered twice a week.

In all domestic correctional facilities, including Seoul Detention Center, inmates are not allowed to consume alcohol. According to the 'Law on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates' and Ministry of Justice correctional regulations, alcohol consumption is completely prohibited.

Alcohol is not sold in the prison shop (correctional shop), and bringing alcohol from outside is also not allowed. It is also prohibited during lawyer meetings.

Living without alcohol will be a significant blow for Yoon

Former President Yoon is widely known as a 'drinker' in political circles. He is recognized for enjoying drinking, with anecdotes from his prosecutor days recalling that "one and a half bottles of soju is basic."

During his presidency, he frequently mentioned 'alcohol' during events and public hearings. He was often spotted pairing soju or wine with various dinners and meals.

Given that he cannot drink at all while serving time in the detention center, this will likely have a considerable impact on him.

Among former presidents, he is recognized as a drinker, and it is anticipated that during this period of detention, he may face significant difficulties due to psychological stress, the heat, and the alcohol restrictions.

Detention life of former presidents

Former President Park Geun-hye was imprisoned in March 2017 and alternated between Seoul Detention Center and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment over four years, suffering from the summer heat and knee pain.

Former President Lee Myung-bak was arrested in March 2018 and experienced deterioration of his health due to the heat and sleep apnea while at Seoul Eastern Detention Center; he received daily monitoring of his blood sugar and blood pressure and had more than two medical consultations.

From the moment he is imprisoned, former President Yoon will no longer receive protection from the Presidential Security Service. He will live under the regulations and protections established by the correctional authorities, losing all ceremonial titles, rights, and privileges.

Image source: COVID-19 situation, 1 ton of potatoes donated, Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, potato farming, farmers, potato recipes, Channel A, News1.