Leaked 19-second video of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in underwear spreads online

A 19-second video, believed to be surveillance footage of former president Yoon Suk Yeol in underwear during his arrest, is spreading rapidly online.

On September 2, a video titled "Leaked video of Yoon Suk Yeol in Detention" circulated across various platforms. The footage shows a man in a suit standing outside what appears to be a solitary cell in a detention center alongside a correctional officer, while inside, a man resembling the former president can be seen peeking out. However, due to the poor video quality, the face is not clearly visible.

The video was reportedly leaked on September 1 when members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee reviewed the surveillance video and other records of the execution of Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest warrant. Committee members stated that Yoon resisted during both the first and second attempts while dressed only in his underwear.

The session was accidentally broadcast on a media news outlet when the committee was displaying the disputed footage during the session. The video quickly spread online via YouTube and other social media platforms.

Meanwhile, on September 1, members of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee conducted an on-site inspection at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, and reviewed CCTV footage of the warrant execution process.

Kim Yong Min, a Democratic Party lawmaker and ruling party secretary on the committee, said after viewing the video, "During the first warrant execution attempt, former president Yoon lay down in his underwear and strongly resisted, saying, ‘You cannot exercise force on me.’ He refused compliance by demanding not to be touched, insisting on meeting his lawyer, and speaking in a defiant tone."

Kim added, "During the second attempt, he was still in his underwear, sitting and reading what appeared to be a Bible, again refusing to comply. When the corrections officer told him to get dressed, he responded, ‘If I refuse, how can you carry out the execution?’ continuing to resist."

He also emphasized, "The footage shows no illegality on the part of the special counsel, but rather Yoon’s repeated and deliberate obstruction of legitimate law enforcement and public authority."

Seo Young Kyo, another Democratic Party lawmaker, also remarked, "When the special counsel came to execute the warrant and opened the door, Yoon had no top clothing on, not even underwear, and shockingly, his lower half was only in underwear. Seeing the ringleader of a rebellion still behaving like a boss inside the detention center, defying the law at will, was lawlessness itself."

In response, Yoon’s legal team immediately pushed back, issuing a statement, "This violates the Act on the Execution of Sentences, the Information Disclosure Act, and the Personal Information Protection Act. CCTV can only be used within the minimum scope necessary to supervise inmates or facilities. It cannot be used or accessed for purposes such as granting privileges or hindering investigations, as the National Assembly has claimed."

They continued, "CCTV footage inside correctional facilities is subject to a non-disclosure principle, both to protect inmates’ human rights and to prevent serious security risks if internal layouts or guard systems are exposed. The legality of the arrest lies within the judiciary’s domain, not in the public’s right to know.’ For the National Assembly, not an investigative body or a court, to demand access is no different from justifying political lawbreaking."