The special prosecutor's team investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee departs from Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 7th after failing to arrest former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yonhap News

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center, was admitted to the medical ward on the 7th after sustaining a back injury during an attempt by the special prosecutor's team to forcibly remove him. 

According to former President Yoon's legal team, Yoon injured his back against the leg of a chair while falling during the special prosecutor's forced apprehension attempt that morning. In response, his legal representatives have vowed to take stern legal action. 

During a press conference at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, the legal team stated, "Former President Yoon is 65 years old and is considered an elderly person," adding, "About ten people latched onto him, grabbing his arms and legs while he was seated, in an attempt to drag him into the vehicle."

One lawyer explained in a phone call with this outlet, "They tried to lift former President Yoon, who was resisting the forced apprehension, while he was still sitting in his chair," and "In that process, the chair slipped backward, causing the former President to hit the floor hard and strike his back against the leg of the chair."

The lawyer further emphasized, "Not only did his back strike the chair leg, but the former President also pleaded, 'My arms feel like they are going to be torn off, please let go,' as they were pulling his arms so forcefully," adding, "Attempting to forcibly drag a detained suspect by their limbs using an arrest warrant is a first in our country's history. We will ensure that everyone involved in these illegal acts is held accountable."

According to the special prosecutor's office, these events took place between 8:00 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. 

The legal team stated, "Although we clearly communicated that their actions were illegal, the special prosecutor and those involved told the lawyers to leave and threatened to punish us for obstruction of official duties." The legal team expressed strong opposition, arguing that attempting a forced apprehension despite former President Yoon’s repeated statements that he would exercise his right to remain silent amounts to coerced testimony. 

The legal team remarked, "Even for regular inmates, there are many cases where a suspect with an arrest warrant refuses to be questioned, but never has a warrant been executed by physically dragging someone out," adding, "Even in the case of Choi Soon-sil, she participated voluntarily after persuasion by correctional officers, so no physical force was used." 

They lamented, "Even if an arrest warrant for questioning has been issued, it should not be executed if former President Yoon intends to exercise his right to remain silent," and "This cannot be explained as anything other than an attempt to cause public humiliation." 

They continued, "Former President Yoon is an inmate and a suspect. We ask that human rights-infringing measures like this are not repeated in the future, for the sake of the human rights of all inmates across the country as well as those subject to criminal punishment." 

The legal team noted, "Former President Yoon is in a condition where even sitting for long periods for questioning is difficult," and "We are discussing options for him to receive medical treatment at a nearby hospital closer than the detention center's infirmary."

It is reported that the former President suffers from autonomic nervous system damage due to diabetic complications, as well as diabetic retinopathy and carotid artery stenosis. 

The legal team reiterated, "Without timely treatment, he could face blindness, and given his diabetes, his condition is quite serious," adding, "We will announce whether he can attend future trials once his health recovers, but as of now, trial attendance is difficult."

The special prosecutor's team arrived at the Seoul Detention Center around 7:50 a.m. and began executing the arrest warrant at 8:25 a.m., but ceased the operation and withdrew at 9:40 a.m. 

If the special prosecutor's office determines that executing an arrest warrant for former President Yoon remains difficult, they may proceed to indict him and send him to trial without a face-to-face interrogation.

According to Yonhap News, the special prosecutor's team countered the legal team's opposition by stating, "We executed the warrant, which was lawfully issued by the court, while taking the suspect's detention status into consideration. It was a lawful execution."