Kim Gye-ri, a lawyer who gained attention for her statement “I was enlightened” during the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, recently shared a photo taken with the former president on the 19th. This meeting involved a meal at Yoon’s residence in Seocho-dong, Seoul, with Bae Ui-chul, a lawyer who was also part of the impeachment defense team.
Kim posted the photo on her Facebook account, with a caption reading, “20250419. My first president whom I elected myself. ‘Appa Yoon’ (Father Yoon Seok-yeol).” The gathering is believed to have taken place at a restaurant near Acro Vista in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Since Yoon was removed from office on the 4th, this is the first time his face has appeared in public, aside from being briefly spotted in a car between home and court.
The political scene is focusing on this meeting in connection with the movement to establish the new ‘Yoon Again’ party. Lawyers Kim Gye-ri and Bae Ui-chul, part of Yoon’s impeachment defense team, have been preparing to launch this party. The defense team planned a press conference to announce its creation on the 17th but postponed it under pressure from the People Power Party.
In their statement, the two lawyers said regarding Yoon’s intentions, “He said that the voluntary ‘Yoon Again’ movement of the youth should translate into political participation, and in their pure political movement, he would be like a father to them.”
The term ‘Appa Yoon’ used by Kim seems to be related to this context. However, Yoon is not planning to join the party or directly involve himself and advised against the press conference, stating it’s a time to unite efforts.
Kim Gye-ri had previously drawn attention during the final arguments of the impeachment trial on February 25, when she said, “I became aware of the excesses committed by the Democratic Party which I was unaware of due to pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, and I decided to take part in this case at the expense of time with my child. I was enlightened.”