South Korea’s Yoon used decoys for work, police head says amid hangover allegations

New details surface at opposition inquiry as the beleaguered president braces for a second impeachment bid

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Protesters participate in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:45am, 14 Dec 2024Updated: 10:50am, 14 Dec 2024

South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk-yeol allegedly used decoy convoys to create the appearance he was reporting to work at regular hours, according to a police official.

The revelation, amid a whistle-blower’s allegations that he had arrived late to work 10 times in 21 working days, has fuelled allegations Yoon was mostly recovering from hangovers, with critics noting the leader’s love for alcohol.

Facing intense scrutiny from opposition lawmakers on Thursday, acting National Police Agency head Lee Ho-young admitted to the existence of decoy tactics, referred to by the force as “fake discharge”.

Traffic surveillance footage reportedly showed a convoy of vehicles leaving the president’s residence past 1pm on November 29.

News outlets alleged that a decoy escort left the residence at 9am, followed hours later by another convoy believed to be carrying Yoon.

Lawmaker Yoon Kun-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea revealed to the National Assembly’s administration committee on Friday that the president arrived late to work 10 times in the 21 working days last month.