Former South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol has left the presidential residence in Seoul and returned to his private home a week after the Constitutional Court removed him from office over his botched decision to impose martial law in December.
In recent days, trucks have been seen entering and leaving the walled presidential compound in Hannam-dong, where a major law enforcement operation took place in January that resulted in Mr. Yoon's arrest.
Mr Yoon, who faces criminal prosecution on sedition charges, was released from custody in March after a Seoul court lifted his arrest.
Mr Yoon and his wife Kim Kyung-hee are returning to their private apartment in affluent southern Seoul along with their 11 dogs and cats.
As his black van pulled up to the gates of the presidential complex, Mr. Yun stepped out, smiling and greeting his supporters, shaking hands and hugging dozens of them before getting back into the car and leaving the compound.
In anticipation of his arrival, dozens of Mr Yoon's supporters and critics gathered outside his private residence with a large police presence, holding signs with messages ranging from “Your Excellency Yoon, we will continue to follow your spirit” to “Sentence Yoon Seok-yeol to death.”
In a separate public address, Mr. Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters who have protested for months demanding his reinstatement and said he would “continue to do his utmost” to create “the free and prosperous Republic of Korea that we have dreamed of together,” using South Korea’s official name.
Mr. Yun, a conservative who narrowly won reelection in 2022, announced martial law on late-night television on Dec. 3, vowing to root out “anti-government” liberals he accused of abusing their legislative majorities to block his agenda.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
