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| Former President Yoon Seok-yeol was spotted in public on May 5th |
On May 5, Children's Day in South Korea, former President Yoon Seok-yeol was spotted in public, enjoying a casual walk with his dog near the Han River—drawing widespread attention online amid his ongoing legal battle.
Casual Stroll with Pet Dog Sparks Online Buzz
A post titled "Spotted Yoon Seok-yeol" quickly went viral on Korean online communities after sharing recent photos of the former president. In the images, Yoon is dressed in black sportswear, sitting on a bench under Dongjak Bridge accompanied by what appears to be his golden-colored dog, believed to be Saeromi—a retired guide dog he adopted in December 2022.
According to the user who shared the photos, Yoon was calmly walking with around three security personnel. The post drew mixed reactions, with one commenter writing:
“It’s frustrating to see him walking freely like that while he’s still facing trial.”
Life After the Presidency
Yoon Seok-yeol returned to civilian life after being impeached on April 4, 2025. He left the presidential residence in Hannam-dong and moved back to his private home in Acro Vista, Seocho-dong—just a 10-minute drive from the Han River park where he was seen.
This is not the first time Yoon has been seen out in public since stepping down:
- On April 20, he was photographed dining with his legal defense team.
- On April 28, he was seen having a meal at a traditional Korean restaurant in Pangyo (Seongnam) with individuals believed to be part of his security team.
- He was also reportedly spotted shopping in the basement retail area of his residential complex.
Legal Status and Ongoing Trial
Although Yoon remains under investigation, he is currently out on bail after the Seoul Central District Court lifted his detention order on March 7. His trial is ongoing, and he has not yet been convicted.
Why This Matters
The former president’s public appearance, especially during a national holiday, has sparked conversations about:
- His current lifestyle despite legal troubles,
- The role of public figures in post-office life,
- And the legal implications of impeachment in South Korea.
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"윤석열 전 대통령이 반려견을 데리고 한강공원에서 산책하는 모습이 포착돼 온라인에 올라왔다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 윤석열 전 대통령 (Yun Seok-yeol jeon dae-tong-ryeong) – former President Yoon Suk-yeol
- 반려견 (ban-ryeo-gyeon) – companion dog / pet dog
- 데리고 (de-ri-go) – bringing (someone or an animal) along
- 한강공원 (Han-gang gong-won) – Han River Park
- 산책하다 (san-chaek-ha-da) – to take a walk / to stroll
- 모습 (mo-seup) – appearance / sight / figure
- 포착되다 (po-chak-dwe-da) – to be captured (in a photo or on video)
- 온라인에 올라오다 (on-line-e ol-la-o-da) – to be uploaded online
Grammar Notes:
-
~을/를 데리고: Means “bringing someone/something along with you.” Used with living beings (people, animals).
- ~는 모습이 포착되다: Passive construction indicating that an action or moment was "captured" (typically in a photo or video).
Language Insight:
- The phrase 반려견을 데리고 산책하다 is common in daily Korean when talking about walking a pet.
- 전 대통령 shows how “former” titles are expressed in Korean – just place 전 in front of the title.
- 포착되다 is used frequently in the news when something is caught on camera or spotted in public.
Translation:
"A photo of former President Yoon Suk-yeol walking his pet dog in Han River Park was captured and posted online."
Keywords
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