Former President Yoon Suk-yeol will leave the presidential residence in Seoul’s Hannam-dong at 5 p.m. on Apr. 11 and return to his private home in Seocho-dong.
The move comes 886 days after he relocated to the official residence from his Seocho apartment on Nov. 7, 2022, and one week after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment.
An aide close to Yoon said on Apr. 10 that the former president is scheduled to vacate the residence that day, and that senior aides at the level of presidential secretaries or higher are expected to see him off. The aide added that Yoon may issue a public message as he departs the compound.
The Presidential Security Service has reportedly organized a dedicated team of about 40 agents to provide protection for Yoon in accordance with the law. Under the Presidential Security Act, a president who has been removed from office still retains security and protective privileges. The protection period is typically five years but can be extended for up to 10 years.
Yoon’s private residence in Seocho-dong is expected to pose few challenges for security personnel, as he continued to live there for about six months after taking office in May 2022.
However, since the apartment is located in a high-rise mixed-use building, there are concerns about possible inconvenience to other residents. Authorities are said to be considering relocating Yoon to another residence in the future.
He is expected to bring all 11 of his pets—both dogs and cats—that he kept at the Hannam-dong residence to his Seocho home.
Since the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Apr. 4, Yoon has remained at the official residence, where he has met with members of the People Power Party and supporters.
On Apr. 9, he reportedly met Jeon Han-gil, a popular Korean history lecturer, and told him that he did not mind going to prison or even dying, but was deeply concerned about the future of the Korean people and the younger generation.
That same day, Yoon also met with North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Cheol-woo, who had just declared his presidential bid. According to reports, Yoon advised him to prioritize loyalty above all else when selecting people to work with, should he become president.
