Yoon's Eyes Turn Red as He Bows Deeply in Greeting
Clenched Fist... "Grateful for the Court's Decision"
Unofficial Briefings Expected from the Presidential Office
President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 8th. He got out of the vehicle and showed a clenched fist to the supporters waiting. Photo by Yonhap News
President Yoon Seok-yeol was released on the 8th and returned to his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It has been 41 days since he was indicted in custody on January 26 and 52 days since his arrest on January 15. President Yoon bowed at a 90-degree angle and waved his hand to express gratitude to the supporters who came to greet him.
At around 5:47 p.m. that day, President Yoon walked out of the main gate of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province. With his hair neatly combed back, President Yoon wore a white dress shirt without a tie and a suit.
Wearing a faint smile, he bowed at a 90-degree angle to greet supporters in front of the detention center and waved his hand. He also showed signs of red eyes. With a closed mouth expression, he clenched his right fist tightly to encourage the supporters' response.
President Yoon walked down from the detention center gate for about three minutes and left for his residence in Hannam-dong by car at around 5:50 p.m. Supporters welcomed him by waving the Taegeukgi and the U.S. flag and shouting "Yoon Seok-yeol."
About 25 minutes later, at around 6:15 p.m., President Yoon arrived in front of his residence. There, he got out of the car, shook hands with supporters, and waved to express his gratitude. After greeting for about three minutes, he got back into the car and entered the residence.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of the residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on the 8th, getting out of the vehicle and heading towards supporters. To President Yoon's right is Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok of the Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News.
Immediately after his release, President Yoon expressed through his legal representatives, "I am grateful for the courage and decision of the Central District Court judges who corrected the illegality."
He added, "I deeply thank the many citizens who sent their support despite the cold weather, and our future generations," and "I also thank the leadership of the People Power Party and related parties."
He continued, "I was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of those who protested my detention by taking their own lives," and said, "I sincerely pray for their souls."
In particular, President Yoon mentioned the release of individuals related to the emergency martial law situation.
President Yoon said, "There are also people imprisoned in connection with my detention," and "I pray for their prompt release."
The Blue House is expected to organize current issues and policies and provide unofficial reports now that President Yoon has been released. Since President Yoon remains under suspension of duty following his impeachment, he does not receive official support from the Blue House.
On the 8th, supporters of President Yoon Seok-yeol cheered as President Yoon, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of the official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.
Chief of Staff to the President Jeong Jin-seok waited at the detention center from the previous day and personally welcomed President Yoon upon his release that day.
Inside and outside the political circles, there is an analysis that since President Yoon has moved to rally his support base immediately after his release, he may enter 'residence politics' beyond 'prison politics.'
Earlier, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) accepted President Yoon's request to cancel his detention the day before. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office decided not to immediately appeal the court's ruling, but the prosecution's special investigation headquarters for emergency martial law opposed this decision, delaying the release.
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