To Aides: "Regretful I Could Not Complete My Term"
Democratic Party Criticizes: "No Apology or Reflection"
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting supporters as he leaves the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and moves to his private residence in Seocho-dong on April 11, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
Former President Yoon Seok-yeol left the Hannam-dong residence and moved to the Seocho-dong residence on the afternoon of the 11th. Yoon's departure from the residence came seven days after the Constitutional Court's dismissal decision and 886 days after moving from the Seocho-dong residence to the residence on November 7, 2022.
On that day, around 5:09 p.m., former President Yoon passed through the main gate of the residence and arrived at the Seocho-dong residence at 5:33 p.m., 21 minutes later.
After getting out of the car in front of the residence, former President Yoon greeted supporters for about four minutes before getting back into the security vehicle. Dressed without a tie, Yoon smiled at the supporters, waved his hand, and clenched his fist.
Supporters of former President Yoon gathered in front of the residence that day, chanting "Yoon Seok-yeol" as they saw him off. Yoon waved several times to the supporters and shook hands with them directly. He also embraced a supporter wearing a university jumper. According to the police, an unofficial estimate of 1,500 people gathered around the Hannam-dong area.
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is leaving the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 11th and greeting supporters as he moves to his private residence in Seocho-dong. 2025.04.11 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
Before departing from the residence, former President Yoon had a separate meeting for about 20 minutes with senior aides including Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok and other senior secretaries who came to see him off. At this meeting, Yoon said, "I regret not being able to complete my term. Everyone worked hard. I am very sorry and grateful for everything." Chief Secretary Jeong replied, "I pray for your good health." About 200 presidential office staff visited the residence that day.
Supporters holding Taegeukgi (Korean national flags) and U.S. flags shouted slogans such as "Yoon Again" and "Fraudulent Impeachment" in various places in front of the Hannam-dong residence. Former President Yoon received a red hat with the English phrase "Make Korea Great Again" and wore it while shaking hands with supporters. Yoon also repeatedly raised his right index finger, symbolizing the number '1.'
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is leaving the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 11th and greeting supporters while moving to his private residence in Seocho-dong. 2025.04.11 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
After greeting the supporters, former President Yoon boarded a Carnival at around 5:14 p.m. and left Hannam-dong. First Lady Kim Geon-hee, who sat beside him, did not get out of the car.
The motorcade carrying former President Yoon arrived at the main gate of the Acrovista residence in Seocho-dong at around 5:33 p.m. An unofficial police estimate counted about 400 supporters gathered there. Upon arrival, Yoon got out of the car and greeted the supporters along with Mrs. Kim, and one supporter handed him a bouquet of flowers.
Under the "Act on the Protection of the President, etc.," former President Yoon can receive protection from the Presidential Security Service for up to 10 years. It is known that the Presidential Security Service has formed a security team of about 40 members for the residence.
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting supporters as he leaves the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and moves to his private residence in Seocho-dong on April 11, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
Before leaving the residence and moving to the Seocho-dong residence, former President Yoon released a statement through his legal team, saying, "I will return as one of the people of the Republic of Korea and seek a new path for the country and its people."
He also said, "For the Republic of Korea of freedom and prosperity that the people and I dreamed of together, I will spare no effort, however small."
This message has led to speculation that former President Yoon will continue his political activities from the residence even after leaving the official residence. It is believed that he may mobilize his support base and exert influence in the People Power Party primaries and the early presidential election phase.
However, voices are raised that Yoon's actions are inappropriate amid the ongoing responsibility debate over martial law and impeachment.
Senior Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement that day, saying, "Yoon Seok-yeol, who was dismissed by the people, the National Assembly, and the Constitution, did not utter a single word of apology or reflection until the end," and criticized, "One might think he is a president who honorably completed his term and retired." He added, "What Yoon Seok-yeol should do now is to reflect, repent, and humbly await the judgment of the law."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
