Yoon Seok-yeol Votes Early with Father, Remains Silent on 'Presidential Ambitions' Questions

Yoon "Father's health not good, came together"
Family meal planned after voting

No political remarks contrary to expectations
Possible concern over Public Official Election Act violation

On the first day of early voting for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is entering the early voting station set up at Namgajwa 1-dong Community Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, together with his father, Yoon Ki-jung, Honorary Professor at Yonsei University. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol cast his early vote on the morning of the 2nd around 11 a.m. at the Namgajwa 1-dong Community Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, together with his father, Professor Emeritus Yoon Ki-jung of Yonsei University. This was his first official public appearance since resigning from the Prosecutor General position on the 4th of last month, and although there was speculation that he might make political remarks, he only voted and then left the scene.

Before voting, when reporters asked why he came with his father, Yoon said, "As you can see, my father’s health is not very good, so I came with him." He did not respond to questions about 'why he chose early voting for his first public appearance,' 'his thoughts on early voting,' or 'interpretations of his presidential campaign.'

At the voting booth, before heading to the out-of-district voter line, Yoon escorted his father, Professor Yoon, who is an in-district voter, by helping him take out his ID card. Yoon currently resides in Seocho-gu.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is casting his vote at the early voting station set up at Namgajwa 1-dong Community Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the first day of early voting for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On that day, in front of the community center, a large number of reporters and enthusiastic supporters gathered upon hearing the news of Yoon’s first official public appearance. However, Yoon did not give any interviews or make any further statements.

Some speculate that this was due to concerns about violating Article 58-2 of the Public Official Election Act. According to this law, no one may encourage participation in voting. However, this does not apply within 100 meters of an early voting site or polling station.

Yoon’s side stated, "After voting with his elderly father, they planned to have a family lunch in Namgajwa-dong," adding, "We judged that it was appropriate to refrain from political expressions or calls to vote at the scene, considering that he is an ordinary citizen, not a party member."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.