Former President Yoon Suk-yeol has relocated from his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, to his private home in Seocho-dong, amid predictions in the political arena that he will continue 'private residence politics.' This expectation stems from his past actions of meeting pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) lawmakers at the residence and delivering multiple messages even after his ouster, suggesting a strong likelihood that he will try to maintain his political influence.
Former President Yoon left the residence around 5 p.m. on the 11th, accompanied by his wife, Kim Keon-hee, and moved to his private residence, Acro Vista, in Seocho-dong. It is reported that high-ranking aides from the presidential office, including Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, gathered to see off former President Yoon.
Shortly after departing for his private residence, former President Yoon issued a statement saying, "Now I am returning as one of the citizens of the Republic of Korea, and I will seek a new path for the country and the people," adding, "I will spare no effort, however modest, for the free and prosperous Republic of Korea that all of you and I have dreamed of together." This was interpreted in political circles as a message indicating he intends to continue his political activities.
Even after his ouster, former President Yoon has continued to meet with presidential candidates from the People Power Party. He thanked lawmaker Na Kyung-won on the 5th for "playing a role during difficult times" when she visited him at the residence.
On the following day, the 6th, he met with lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who is classified as a hardliner among pro-Yoon lawmakers. Yoon is someone who has maintained the closest ties to former President Yoon during the impeachment phase. On the 10th, he also visited the residence with Jeon Han-gil, a history lecturer who led anti-impeachment rallies. According to Jeon, former President Yoon stated at that meeting, "I don't mind going to prison and dying, but what about our people and the younger generation?"
Political circles expect that there will be politicians who will enter and exit in order to show 'Yoon-sim (Yoon's heart)' even after former President Yoon has moved to his private residence. With the presidential election coming on June 3, there are also suggestions that former President Yoon may not only position himself as a kingmaker but also exert influence during the party's national convention.
Political commentator Park Sang-byeong noted in a call with ChosunBiz that "the reason former President Yoon continues to resist acceptance of the Constitutional Court’s ruling is simply to maintain his political influence. There are significant events like the presidential primary and national convention coming up," adding, "However, in the actual election phase, it seems he will temporarily maintain a low profile, considering the critical public opinion."
Within the party, there are concerns that failing to cut ties with former President Yoon could negatively affect votes. If they rely solely on Yoon-sim without capturing the centrist vote, there is a high possibility of losing to Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the Democratic Party.
A source in the political sphere stated, "People Power Party formed the election commission just three days after the impeachment of former President Yoon, and the makeup of the commission itself strongly reflects pro-Yoon colors," adding, "It is difficult to tell the centrist voters that the party has changed."
Meanwhile, presidential candidates classified as pro-Yoon are grappling with how to draw the line with former President Yoon. Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo stated on this day, "I did not run for office at the behest of former President Yoon," and added, "He hasn't explicitly expressed anything to me."
On this day, lawmaker Na Kyung-won declared her candidacy for the presidential election and avoided directly answering the question of whether she was running at the request of former President Yoon, stating, "That is not the case. It’s difficult to elaborate, but Korea is at a crossroads right now."