Convicted of insurrection, Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly complains about side dishes

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol drinks soju while dining with lawmakers at a restaurant in the southeastern port city of Busan in 2021, when he was a presidential candidate. Newsis

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing public criticism for allegedly making unreasonable demands on correctional officers about prison food while serving a life sentence for leading an insurrection.

Yoon has been held at the Seoul Detention Center for nine months following his re-arrest in July of last year. Despite receiving a first-instance life sentence on Feb. 19 for the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law declaration, attention has turned to his complaints about the food.

Former Ministry of Justice Inspector General Ryu Hyuk sparked the "gluttony" controversy in media appearances, citing accounts from correctional officers. Ryu appeared on a YouTube channel Monday and said guards described Yoon as a "jinsang," a Korean term for an entitled, overly demanding person.

Former Justice Ministry Inspector General Ryu Hyuk discusses the latest controversy surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol's eating habits in prison during an appearance on a YouTube channel. Captured from "Jang Yoon-sun's CVS News" YouTube channel

Ryu said Yoon made demands without any consideration for correctional officers. He added that guards said they were disappointed by the behavior. He also said it showed Yoon lacks the dignity of a leader and revealed his character during hardship.

Previously, Ryu said in a telephone interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" Thursday that Yoon repeatedly asked for more coffee and complained about the side dishes. Ryu said staff questioned whether Yoon had an unusually strong appetite.

Denials and online backlash

Yoon's lawyers immediately rejected the allegations. Lawyer Yoo Jung-hwa issued a statement on Facebook calling the claims a "malicious smear" and a "complete fabrication." Yoo said allegations that Yoon ignored staff or raised unfair demands are false.

Despite the denial, Ryu's accounts have been widely treated as credible online. Online commenters posted messages on Tuesday criticizing Yoon for still maintaining a sense of privilege. People on social media asked whether the detention center was being viewed by Yoon as a hotel and criticized Yoon failure to recognize he is serving prison time. Others commented that Yoon's demands reflect his usual behavior.

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, eats spicy simmered rice cakes during a visit to Bupyeong Kkangtong Market in the southeastern port city of Busan in 2023. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon

Some online commenters urged caution, noting the claims rely on hearsay from a third party and advising against judgment before verifying the exact facts.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.