Ousted South Korean President Yoon embraces supporters after leaving presidential residence

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol left the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday for his private home, a week after the Constitutional Court removed him from office over his ill-fated imposition of martial law in December.

In recent days, moving trucks were seen driving in and out of the walled presidential compound in the Hannam-dong district, the site of a massive law enforcement operation in January that led to Yoon’s detainment. Yoon, who is facing a criminal trial on rebellion charges, was released from custody in March after a Seoul court canceled his arrest.

Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, along with their 11 dogs and cats, returned to their private apartment in affluent southern Seoul. As his black van arrived at the gate of the presidential compound, Yoon stepped out, smiling and waving to his supporters, shaking hands and embracing dozens of them, before getting back into the vehicle and leaving the site.

Arriving at the apartment complex where his private residence is located, Yoon stepped out of the van again and walked slowly through a crowd of supporters, shaking their hands as they chanted his name, as his wife closely followed.

Dozens of both supporters and critics of Yoon rallied in nearby streets amid a heavy police presence, holding signs that ran from “Your excellency Yoon, we will carry on with your spirit” to “Give Yoon Suk Yeol the death penalty!”

In a separate public message, Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters who had protested for months calling for his reinstatement, and stressed that he will “continue to do my utmost” to build the “free and prosperous Republic of Korea that we have dreamed of together," invoking South Korea's formal name.

Yoon, a conservative who narrowly won the 2022 election, declared martial law on late-night television on Dec. 3, vowing to eradicate “anti-state” liberals whom he accused of abusing their legislative majority to obstruct his agenda. Yoon also declared a suspension of legislative activities and sent hundreds of troops to surround the National Assembly, but lawmakers still managed to form a quorum and voted to lift martial law just hours after it was imposed.

Yoon’s powers were suspended after the Assembly impeached him on Dec. 14. The Constitutional Court upheld impeachment and formally removed him from office last week, triggering a presidential election the government set for June 3.

Despite his self-inflicted downfall, it’s unlikely that Yoon will fade into the background, experts say. With the country entering election mode, he may try to rally his supporters while seeking to tighten his grip on the conservative People Power Party, whose leadership is stacked with loyalists.

Facing a separate criminal trial on rebellion charges, which are punishable by death or life in prison, Yoon would strongly prefer a conservative president who could pardon him if convicted and is likely to push to ensure the party’s primaries are won by a candidate he supports, experts say.

South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol waves to supporters from his car as he leaves the official residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. ( Jung Yeon-je /Pool Photo via AP)

South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves his official residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Song Kyung Seok/Pool Photo via AP)

Recently ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol leaves the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool)

Recently ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is greeted by a college student before he leaves the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool)

South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves his official residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Song Kyung Seok/Pool Photo via AP)

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves upon his arrival at the private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves upon his arrival at the private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A supporter of recently removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol carries flowers near Yoon's private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A supporter of recently removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wearing a dress with an image of Yoon stands near his private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A supporter of recently ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol weeps during a rally to oppose his impeachment near the the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A person protesting against recently removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wears a mask depicting him near Yoon's private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Supporters of recently ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of recently removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold a banner with a picture of Yoon near his private residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 11, 2025. The part of letters read "President Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards banked in a go-ahead, 3-foot runner with 16.8 seconds and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-103 on Sunday night.

Edwards scored 23 points. Julius Randle had 15 points, eight rebounds and the winning defensive possession against Victor Wembanyama, who had 29 points in 27 minutes in his return to San Antonio's starting lineup. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman had trouble shedding Randle and his upper-body strength, clanking a 16-foot jumper with 6.6 seconds to go.

De'Aaron Fox's 3-point heave near the buzzer missed, too, sending the Minnesota crowd into a frenzy after the back-and-forth finish between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Donte DiVincenzo scored 19 points with a major spark for the comeback from the 19-point deficit early in the third quarter for the Timberwolves (26-14), who are 16-6 since Thanksgiving Day.

Edwards gave the Wolves their first lead at 100-98 on a turnaround jumper with 2:19 remaining, before Harrison Barnes put the Spurs back in front with a 3-pointer.

Wembanyama was a plus-17 with seven rebounds and three steals to upstage his fellow Frenchman and ace rim protector Rudy Gobert. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner was outdone on both ends of the floor by Wembanyama, who has been on a minutes restriction since hyperextending his knee on Dec. 31 and missing two games. Wembanyama missed 12 games earlier this season with calf tightness.

Naz Reid had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolves, who played without head coach Chris Finch due to illness and were down 16-0 before finally making their first basket 4:39 into the game. Assistant coach Micah Nori took the lead on the bench for Finch.

Spurs: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Timberwolves: At Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs a pass as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts next to referee Courtney Kirkland during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama walks to the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, celebrates as time in an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)