Imprisoned former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, collected approximately 2.19 billion won, or about $1.62 million, in inmate funds during their first year of detention. Justice Ministry data released by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea reveals the deposits totaled roughly eight times the annual presidential salary.
Justice Ministry Data Reveals Multi-Billion Won Deposits
Jailed former South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, amassed about 2.19 billion won during their first year behind bars, according to parliamentary audit materials disclosed by Representative Lee Sung-yoon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.
Yoon accounted for 1.95 billion won of that total across 45,770 individual deposits received between July 10 and Sept. 9, 2026. His wife brought in 240 million won through 10,415 deposits starting from her arrest on Aug. 12, 2025, through the same date in the parliamentary audit. The combined sum equals roughly eight times the yearly presidential salary of more than 270 million won.
Official records show that both inmates collected more money than anyone else at their respective detention centers. Under South Korean regulations, prison accounts are designed to let inmates buy daily necessities from outside, capped at a limit of 4 million won. Any excess funds are supposed to be held until release or transferred elsewhere by correctional authorities.
Correctional Staff Handling Frequent Withdrawals
To manage incoming cash past the statutory threshold, Yoon withdrew nearly 1.94 billion won across 586 transactions, averaging nearly two withdrawals per working day. Lawmakers from the ruling party stated that Yoon repeatedly had prison guards transfer funds from his inmate account to his personal bank account, which cleared his prison balance and made room for additional deposits from supporters.
Legislators questioned why correctional facilities actively assisted with the process. Rep. Seo Young-kyo, who chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, warned that if the deposits continue at the current pace throughout a potential life sentence, Yoon could amass a fortune exceeding 100 billion won.
Defense Team Cites Constitutional Rights to Counsel
The defense argued that Yoon and his wife face numerous trials, making comprehensive financial resources necessary to secure counsel over the prison deposit controversy.
“Therefore, legitimately using prison deposits to cover the minimum legal fees and litigation expenses necessary to handle numerous trials is neither a crime nor a privilege. It is the legitimate and lawful exercise of the right to defend oneself.”
defense attorney for Yoon Suk Yeol
According to the defense statement, the funds did not originate from corporate backers or hidden slush funds.
Ministry of Justice and Tax Officials Weigh Possible Reforms
In response to the audit disclosures, acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo acknowledged public concerns regarding the massive cash inflows. He stated that the ministry will actively consider ways to update current management guidelines, noting that while prison staff helped transfer money to benefit inmates when limits were reached, no strict rules currently govern transaction frequency or amounts.
Lawmakers also asked about taxation. Rep. Lee argued that gift taxes should be imposed on the deposits,
prompting a response from a National Tax Service official explaining that while inmate funds are technically subject to gift taxation, tax-exempt status under social norms depends on verifying specific case facts after the parliamentary audit concludes.