Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to his private residence on Friday, days after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment. The court’s ruling, which stemmed from Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law in December, marked the end of a four-month constitutional crisis and triggered a snap presidential election scheduled for June 3.
Supporters lined the streets outside the official residence, cheering and shedding tears as Yoon’s motorcade departed. The former president, wearing a red "Make Korea Great Again" cap, waved to crowds and vowed in a written statement to "find a new way for the country and the people."
Yoon had remained out of public view since his March 8 release from detention, following the cancellation of his arrest warrant in a related criminal case. Despite his absence at the April 4 impeachment ruling, political allies have continued to visit him, and speculation remains about his possible influence in the upcoming election.
Yoon, now facing trial on charges of insurrection—punishable by death or life imprisonment—was accompanied by a 50-person security team as he relocated to his Seoul apartment with his wife and their pets.
The conservative People Power Party is scrambling to find a viable successor, with nearly 20 candidates competing for nomination. However, a Gallup Korea poll released Friday shows their top contender, Kim Moon-soo, trailing at 9% support, far behind Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung at 37%.
Lee, despite facing legal challenges, has launched his campaign with promises to reduce political polarization and boost economic growth through advancements in science and technology. He urged the nation to shift from imitation to global leadership in innovation.
Yoon maintains his martial law move aimed to counter legislative obstruction, but critics argue it was a dangerous attack on democracy.