Yoon Rests at Residence Without Official Schedule After Release
Expected to Remain Restrained as Constitutional Court Ruling Nears
Possibility Remains for Last-Minute Rallying of Supporters
Political Circles Focused... Opposition Questions, "Is He a Triumphant General?"
President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on the 8th, getting out of the vehicle and greeting supporters. Photo by Yonhap News
Attention is focused on what course of action President Yoon Seok-yeol will take after being released and returning to the presidential residence following the court's cancellation of his detention. With the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling imminent, many expect him to maintain a restrained demeanor for the time being, but there is also speculation that he may rally his support base to strongly amplify public opinion in favor of 'impeachment dismissal.'
On the second day after his release, the 9th, President Yoon is reported to be resting at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The previous day, after having dinner of kimchi stew with First Lady Kim Keon-hee, Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, Chief of the First Office Kang Ui-gu, and Deputy Chief of the Security Office Kim Seong-hoon, he went to rest early.
Since his release, President Yoon has not issued any significant political messages. In an official statement, he expressed gratitude to the Seoul Central District Court panel that canceled his detention, the leadership of the People Power Party, and his supporters, and only mentioned his hope for the prompt release of those detained in connection with the emergency martial law situation.
After arriving at the residence, through aides, he shared impressions such as "I have become healthier by sleeping a lot," "Even a president can learn a lot in prison," "I read the Bible diligently," and "I saw that the correctional officers are working hard under difficult conditions."
President Yoon is expected to take time to recover and calmly await the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling. According to legal circles, the Constitutional Court concluded impeachment trial arguments on the 25th of last month and has been reviewing the case almost daily in deliberations. It is possible that the hearing will conclude and a decision will be made as early as the 14th.
Since the impeachment ruling could come within a week, it is anticipated that he will show a restrained appearance without major external activities or message announcements. A presidential office official said, "It is highly likely that he will calmly await the Constitutional Court's ruling."
With his actions now freer, he may meet with aides visiting the residence, People Power Party figures, and his legal team. Although he remains under suspension from official duties and cannot go to work or receive official reports from the presidential office, he is expected to receive unofficial reports on state affairs or reference materials.
The presidential office will also hold a senior secretaries meeting chaired by Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok in the afternoon to discuss future response directions.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was released, is getting out of the car and greeting supporters as he leaves Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News
Of course, the possibility cannot be ruled out that President Yoon may actively engage by sending messages to his supporters or meeting with them outside the residence to encourage participation in anti-impeachment rallies.
Before his arrest, on January 1, he handed out a one-page New Year's greeting letter to citizens protesting against his arrest in front of the residence, and he has repeatedly asserted the legitimacy of eradicating anti-state forces and declaring emergency martial law.
Even while incarcerated, he issued messages through his legal team, earning the characterization of 'prison politics,' so it is explained that he may embark on full-fledged 'residence politics' after his release.
However, in this case, the conflict between conservative and progressive camps is expected to escalate to extremes. The Democratic Party criticized President Yoon's actions, such as walking out of the detention center gate the previous day with a clenched fist, calling it "a shameless attitude denying that he is a suspect indicted for leading a rebellion."
Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, floor leader Park Chan-dae, and other lawmakers shouted slogans condemning the prosecution for releasing President Yoon Seok-yeol on the main building stairs after an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News
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