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South Korea's jailed ex-president Yoon accused of withdrawing millions while incarcerated

South Korea's Democratic Party has alleged that former president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife accessed nearly 1.94 billion won through multiple transactions while he remains in detention. The claim raises fresh questions about the former leader's finances during his ongoing legal troubles.

LSN Singapore · 11 October 2026

South Korea's jailed ex-president Yoon accused of withdrawing millions while incarcerated

The Democratic Party's assertion centres on approximately 586 separate fund transfers, suggesting systematic access to substantial resources despite Yoon's incarceration. The former president has faced mounting legal pressures following his December arrest related to martial law declarations that triggered political upheaval in the country.

Yoon's detention has become a focal point of South Korea's intensifying political divisions. The ex-leader, who served until May 2022, has maintained his innocence amid multiple criminal investigations spanning allegations of insurrection and abuse of power.

The financial access claims add complexity to an already contentious legal landscape. Questions about prisoner privileges and asset management have previously sparked debate in South Korean legal circles, though such large-scale transfers while under detention remain unusual.

The Democratic Party's disclosure underscores ongoing scrutiny of Yoon's conduct both before and after his presidency. Legal proceedings continue as prosecutors build their cases against the former leader, with outcomes likely to carry significant implications for South Korea's political trajectory and judicial precedents.