SEOUL, Apr. 11 (Reuters) - Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is due to return to his private home on Friday from the official residence, with crowds of both supporters and opponents expected to turn out to greet his motorcade after his removal from office a week ago.
The Constitutional Court last Friday upheld Yoon's impeachment, capping four months of unprecedented constitutional turmoil after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law in December sent shockwaves through Asia's fourth-largest economy.
South Korea will now hold a snap election on June 3 and questions remain over whether Yoon might still play a role given how his impeachment appears to have deepened polarisation in society and stirred up his conservative supporters.
Yoon is due to be driven on Friday in a motorcade from the official residence with his wife and more than 10 dogs and cats to his private apartment in a 37-story building in Seoul.
The former president still faces a trial on accusations he led an insurrection, a charge that is punishable by death or a life sentence if he is convicted.
The race to replace Yoon kicked off this week with nearly 20 hopefuls expected to contest for the candidacy of the conservative People Power Party that is in a fight to retain the presidency against a populist liberal who leads in the polls.
Questions about security arrangements for Yoon, which he is entitled to as a former president, in a densely populated residential area were cited in media reports as a major reason for the delay in his move.
Former South Korean presidents have typically moved to detached houses after leaving office.
Yoon has not been seen in public since he was released from prison on March 8 when a court cancelled his detention warrant in the criminal case against him. He did not attend the impeachment ruling by the Constitutional Court on April 4.
But a number of his ruling party members and supporters have been seen visiting the official residence where Yoon reportedly discussed the election scheduled for June 3.
