SOUTH KOREA’S JAILED EX-LEADER YOON REFUSES QUESTIONING BY REMOVING HIS PRISON UNIFORM. (PHOTO).

 South Korea’s jailed ex-leader Yoon refuses questioning by removing his prison uniform

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol again refused to cooperate with investigators on Friday, this time by removing his prison uniform and lying on the floor of his detention cell in protest.

Yoon, who was removed from office in April following his controversial declaration of martial law, was returned to prison last month as he faces a high-profile trial on charges including rebellion. In addition to the martial law-related case, he and his wife are under investigation for alleged misconduct linked to the 2022 ruling party’s candidate nomination process.

Investigators led by special counsel Min Joong-ki, appointed by Yoon’s political rival and current President Lee Jae Myung, arrived at Yoon’s detention center near Seoul to question him after he twice ignored summons. Min’s team held a court-approved warrant allowing them to forcibly remove Yoon if necessary, but sought his voluntary cooperation.

Assistant special counsel Oh Jeong-hee said that upon entering the cell, Yoon had removed his prison clothes and lay down, refusing to comply. After the officials left, Yoon reportedly put his uniform back on. Concerned for safety, investigators chose not to physically intervene but warned they would enforce the warrant at a later time.

Oh urged Yoon to cooperate, emphasizing the importance of equal law enforcement under public scrutiny. Yoon’s lawyer condemned the special counsel’s comments on his attire as an affront to his dignity.

Yoon’s defense team previously cited serious health issues—including cardiovascular problems and risks to his eyesight—as reasons he could not attend questioning or trial. They claimed he faced potential blindness due to untreated medical conditions over the past three months.

Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law, which deployed armed forces on Seoul’s streets, was quickly rejected by lawmakers in a unanimous vote. Yoon has defended the move as an urgent effort to rally public support against what he described as the “wickedness” of Lee’s Democratic Party, which had blocked his agenda and pursued impeachment against key officials.