[Report] "President Yoon Seok-yeol!" Full of Cheer... From Supporters to Opposition Lawmakers Gathered in One Place

On the 29th, the area in front of the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol declared his entry into politics, was crowded with supporters of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol gathered from all over the country. / Photo by Park Joon-yi

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] "Yoon Seok-yeol, the hero of troubled times!", "Let's unite tightly behind Yoon Seok-yeol and go to the presidency!"

On the 29th, the front of the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul was no different from the scene of a 'regular meeting' of supporters of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol gathered from all over the country. Ahead of Yoon's first official declaration as a 'politician' that afternoon, the area in front of the memorial hall was bustling with supporters who had gathered early in the morning to cheer him on. About 100 wreaths were lined up starting 100 meters before the entrance to the memorial hall. The wreaths bore the names of various support groups and supporters along with messages cheering for former Prosecutor General Yoon.

A line of wreaths in front of the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's political participation declaration ceremony was held on the 29th. / Photo by Park Joon-yi

From around 8 a.m., when preparations for the event were in full swing, supporters were scattered around the front of the memorial hall, laying out mats and settling in. Kim Ki-sang (60, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do), a member of the support group who had been staying at a nearby lodging since three days prior, said, "From 6 a.m. this morning, about twenty members and I have been here," adding, "We came to support former Prosecutor General Yoon with the thought that fairness and democracy, which have been destroyed by the current administration, must be restored."

Jeon Seong-ho (64, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do), who was waiting for former Prosecutor General Yoon with his wife, said, "I know I can't get inside the venue, but I came early to support Yoon's political participation," adding, "I was a supporter of President Moon Jae-in and former President Park Geun-hye, but I was repeatedly disappointed," and "I have come to place my hopes on a new person who will uphold fairness and justice."

On the morning of the 29th, the support group "Pocheongcheon" for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol gathered in front of the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where Yoon declared his entry into politics. Photo by Park Joon-yi

A support group that volunteered to organize the site also appeared. The support group 'Yeoljidae' took the initiative at the entrance of the memorial hall to assist visitors with temperature checks and registration. Holding loudspeakers and microphones, they repeatedly shouted "Yoon Seok-yeol" while urging social distancing. The yard in front of the memorial hall became colorful with red, blue, and green balloons distributed by some support groups.

As the event time approached, the number of supporters gradually increased. Amid the chaos, there were minor disputes among supporters. At the edge of the yard in front of the memorial hall, a physical scuffle broke out after a heated argument over installing a banner with cheering slogans for former Prosecutor General Yoon. In the afternoon, an elderly supporter fainted, prompting an ambulance to be dispatched.

On the 29th, 25 members of the People Power Party gathered at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol declared his entry into politics, exchanging greetings with former Prosecutor General Yoon. / Photo by Park Joon-yi

Subsequently, members of the People Power Party began to appear one by one at the scene. Twenty-five lawmakers, including Jeong Jin-seok, Kwon Seong-dong, Lee Jong-bae, Kim Seon-kyo, Kim Seong-won, Park Seong-jung, and Baek Jong-heon, gathered on the first floor of the memorial hall to support former Prosecutor General Yoon. About 30 minutes before the event started, when Yoon appeared to greet the lawmakers, Jeong Jin-seok said, "Congratulations, and I hope you show great courage," and Kwon Seong-dong encouraged him, saying, "We will see you often now." In response, Yoon expressed gratitude, saying, "I will do my utmost to restore this broken country together with the lawmakers and the people."

At 1 p.m., former Prosecutor General Yoon finally appeared on the stage on the third floor of the memorial hall and took the microphone. Speaking publicly for the first time in several months, he emphasized 'liberal democracy' and 'common sense,' revealing his reasons and aspirations for entering politics.

On the 29th, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol greeted reporters at the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where he declared his entry into politics. Photo by Park Joon-yi

After about 40 minutes of Q&A with reporters, Yoon went down to the press room on the second floor, shook hands with reporters, and concluded his rounds of greetings. He apologized to reporters, saying, "I'm sorry I haven't been able to answer calls well until now," and promised, "I will communicate better."

Finally, as he exited the memorial hall, he stood before the hundreds of supporters gathered to see him. The supporters followed Yoon's exit path, repeatedly shouting "Yoon Seok-yeol" and "President." In response, Yoon said, "With the desire to establish the fundamentals of the nation and normalize the country, I will work hard not to disappoint the hopes and expectations of everyone gathered here this afternoon at Maeheon Memorial Hall," adding, "If we all work together, we can do it."

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