Published on: 2025/04/06 12:00
As the Constitutional Court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from power on Friday, the now former leader has to vacate his office and residence.
Our correspondent Oh Soo-young is at the former President's office.
Q1. Soo-young, what's the atmosphere like there today on this second day since the Court's ruling?
Hi Jungmin, the Presidential Office remains enveloped in silence.
Usually, Sundays were also buzzing with activity but today, it looks like only a handful of working-level staff are present.
Notably, the regular Sunday meeting of senior secretaries, which had continued even during Yoon's suspension, will not be held today.
This follows a mass resignation submitted by senior aides including Chief-of-Staff Chung Jin-suk and National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik.
Acting President Han Duck-soo turned them down, requesting that they remain in their positions during this transitional period to play supportive roles.
Still, the air of resignation is pervasive.
Soon after Friday's ruling, the phoenix flag the symbol of the head of state was taken down from the main flagpole.
The large digital display in the basement hallway of the building, that showed images of Yoon at major events, now just shows a black screen.
The Presidential Office's official website has been unavailable since Saturday, while Yoon's personal social media profiles have been updated to reflect his change of status from the President of the Republic of Korea, to the 20th President of the Republic of Korea.
Meanwhile, state authorities will begin transferring official documents to the Presidential Archives, which is required under law at the end of every administration.
The Interior Ministry said Sunday, on-site inspections will begin next week on 28 venues including the Presidential Office, the National Security Council, the Presidential Security Service, and relevant advisory bodies.
The Presidential Office has not issued any official statements following Friday's fateful ruling, as it retreats quietly without ceremony.
Q2. Sooyoung, there's a lot of attention now on what comes next, especially regarding former President Yoon's departure from the official residence. What do we know about those plans?
There's no timeline yet for former President Yoon's relocation from the official residence, where he stayed throughout the weekend.
It was initially expected the Yoon and his wife would move out as early as Saturday to return to their high-rise apartment across the river.
However, there's been no sign of such movement nor indication it will happen soon.
According to an official I spoke with, there's still much to sort through and organize, making a move unlikely this weekend.
The Presidential Security Service also told media on Sunday that there are no detailed plans just yet.
By law, the PSS provides basic personal protection for former presidents, even those ousted by impeachment.
Yoon is said to be considering other venues further away from the city center, considering his security arrangements and to minimise disturbances for neighbours.
His thirteen pets are reportedly also being factored into the decision.
Thus, it seems Yoon will move out later compared to former President Park Geun-hye, who left the presidential quarters two days after her impeachment was upheld in 2017.
I see. Well, do keep us updated on any developments.
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