Former President Yoon and wife receive over 2.1 billion won in prison accounts
Jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse Kim Keon Hee each collected hundreds of millions of won through inmate accounts during their first year of detention.
Justice Ministry figures disclosed on Sunday reveal that former president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee each amassed substantial sums in their prison accounts during their first year behind bars. Yoon’s account recorded approximately 1.95 billion won across 45,770 deposits from July 10 to September 9, while Kim’s account logged about 240 million won in 10,415 deposits from her August 12 arrest onward. These amounts are roughly eight times the president’s annual salary and surpass the legal limit of 4 million won per inmate, with any surplus held until release or transferred to a personal bank account.
The Democratic Party claims correctional officers repeatedly moved money from Yoon’s inmate account to his personal account, effectively resetting the balance and permitting additional deposits. Party legislators also contend that Yoon’s attorneys and pro-Yoon YouTubers disclosed his account information, encouraging supporters to contribute funds.
Why it matters
The large inflow of money into the detainees' accounts raises questions about prison fund rules and potential political influence.
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