Kim Yong-min, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, briefs reporters after concluding a site inspection at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. Yonhap News

 The civic group Korea Freedom Coalition has filed complaints against lawmakers, the head of the detention center, and unidentified individuals in connection with the viewing and subsequent leak of footage related to the forced escort of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

In a statement released on the 3rd, the Korea Freedom Coalition announced, "We are filing complaints against lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Jo Guk Innovation Party, as well as Seoul Detention Center Chief Kim Do-hyung, on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act." The group stated, "Their viewing of the video containing the footage of former President Yoon's forced escort during their visit to Seoul Detention Center on the 1st was an act beyond their legal authority, constituting an abuse of power by compelling a correctional institution to perform duties it is not obligated to do." They added, "The act of viewing the video, which contains sensitive personal information, without consent is a violation of the Personal Information Protection Act."

The Korea Freedom Coalition also separately filed a complaint against an unidentified individual for violating the Personal Information Protection Act and the Act on Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, stating, "Approximately 19 seconds of the video were leaked externally immediately after viewing and spread online." The group emphasized, "The direct public release of scenes showing former President Yoon's face, body, and actions is not a mere deviation but a serious crime." They urged, "The circumstances of the video leak must be thoroughly investigated, the leaker identified, and the most severe punishment imposed."

The ruling party also strongly argued for the necessity of an investigation. Joo Jin-woo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook page on the 2nd, "The leak of the CCTV footage containing this situation is a clear crime," adding, "It constitutes not only a violation of the Personal Information Protection Act but also a breach of confidentiality." Rep. Joo criticized, "Democratic Party lawmakers were aware of the illegality of publicizing the CCTV footage, which is why they chose 'viewing' rather than 'publicizing.' Yet, it was leaked secretly behind the scenes. A despicable act." He urged, "This must be revealed through compulsory investigation."

Regarding the significance of their complaint, the Korea Freedom Coalition stated, "This is an issue concerning the fundamental rights of all citizens, beyond a specific politician." They warned, "If images of correctional facility inmates are leaked externally for political purposes, no one will be safe." They added, "We hope this complaint serves as an opportunity to block political maneuvering targeting a former president and to sound an alarm against the abuse of power by public officials."

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