On Wednesday, Hankyoreh reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office deployed decoy vehicles to simulate his arrival at the presidential office on days when he was late.
According to the report, the president’s motorcade departed twice on multiple occasions—once at 9 a.m., the designated work start time, and again later in the morning—from the official residence in Hannam-dong to the presidential office in Yongsan.
Police sources claimed that empty cars were sent out when Yoon was late for work.
A high-ranking police official disclosed hearing that if the president didn’t leave the residence by a specific time, an empty car would be sent first. When asked if it was confirmed that an empty car was sent first when the president was late, a police officer responsible for the president’s commute security responded that it varied by situation. When pressed further, the officer confirmed it. Another officer noted that the president’s frequent late arrivals prompted the use of fake convoys in the mornings and added that specific police codes existed to describe these operations.
Hankyoreh revealed that during the 18 weekdays between November 6 and December 6, excluding weekends and overseas trips, there were at least three suspected fake commutes involving Yoon.
On December 3, the day martial law was declared, a motorcade consisting of three sedans and five vans departed from the entrance of the Hannam-dong residence at 8:52 a.m. and arrived at the presidential office four minutes later. However, at 9:42 a.m. on the same day, another motorcade of four sedans and three vans left the residence and arrived at the presidential office five minutes later. It remains unclear whether Yoon was actually in either convoy.
At the time, traffic police waiting at a nearby coffee shop near the Yongsan presidential office were heard saying, “I wish they’d leave already,” before receiving radio instructions to control traffic for the motorcade. At around 9:31 a.m., the second motorcade departed from the residence, during which traffic signals were manipulated. The National Police Agency’s Urban Traffic Information Center monitored the second motorcade in real time using closed-circuit television (CCTV).
Similar instances were observed on November 29 and November 25. On November 29, motorcades departed from the residence at 9:02 a.m. and 1:09 p.m.; on November 25, departures were recorded at 9:01 a.m. and 10:01 a.m.
The circumstances suggesting decoy arrivals were also evident in the police’s security measures. While the presumed real and fake convoys consisted of black cars, vans, and police motorcycles, the police’s control and security approaches differed significantly.
On November 25, when a suspected fake motorcade departed at 9:01 a.m., police controlled civilian vehicles but displayed a relatively relaxed attitude. However, the situation changed dramatically after 9:50 a.m. Plainclothes officers were deployed, and traffic control devices were activated to prepare for the motorcade. At 10:01 a.m., when a motorcade believed to be carrying Yoon departed the residence, police were visibly tense and actively assisted with the vehicle’s movement.
A similar pattern was observed on November 29. The security was relatively lax when a motorcade left the residence at 9:02 a.m. In contrast, at 1:09 p.m., when the presumed actual motorcade departed, thorough inspections and strict controls were implemented. Police meticulously checked pedestrians and vehicles, even recording details of parked cars.
Hankyoreh‘s analysis of Yoon’s commute patterns revealed that he arrived at the presidential office before 9 a.m. on just two out of 18 days. Most of his arrivals occurred after 10 a.m., despite national regulations requiring public officials to begin work at 9 a.m.
The presidential office did not comment on the matter. The Presidential Security Service stated that the president’s movements and schedule could not be disclosed due to security and confidentiality concerns.
Most Commented