Early Life and Education of Yoon Suk Yeol: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Yoon Suk Yeol, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Yoon Suk Yeol is a South Korean politician and attorney who served as the 13th president of South Korea from 2022 until his removal from office in 2025. As a member of the People Power Party during his presidency, he holds the distinction of being the shortest-serving directly elected president in South Korea's democratic history since 1987. Before becoming president, Yoon served as the prosecutor general of South Korea from 2019 to 2021.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 1960: Yoon Suk Yeol Born

In December 1960, Yoon Suk Yeol was born. He later became a South Korean politician and attorney.

1960: Yoon Born in Seoul

In 1960, Yoon Suk Yeol was born in Bomun-dong, Seongbuk District, Seoul, and raised in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun District. His father was a professor at Yonsei University, and his mother was a lecturer at Ewha Womans University.

1977: Yoon Met Kim Yong-hyun

In 1977, while attending Chungam High School, Yoon Suk Yeol met Kim Yong-hyun, the future Minister of National Defense.

1979: Yoon Graduated from Chungam High School

In 1979, Yoon Suk Yeol graduated from Chungam High School.

1982: Yoon Exempted From National Service

In 1982, Yoon Suk Yeol was exempted from national service due to anisometropia. He later stated that he was unable to obtain a driver's license because of the condition.

1983: Yoon Earned Bachelor of Laws

In 1983, Yoon Suk Yeol earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Seoul National University.

1988: Yoon Earned Master of Laws

In 1988, Yoon Suk Yeol earned a Master of Laws degree from Seoul National University.

1991: Yoon Passed the Bar Exam

In 1991, Yoon Suk Yeol passed the bar exam after multiple attempts, placing him in the same graduating class as Democratic Party Assemblyman Park Beom-kye.

1994: Yoon Started Career at Daegu Public Prosecutor's Office

In 1994, Yoon Suk Yeol started his career at Daegu Public Prosecutor's Office, heading the Special Branch and Central Investigation Department.

1999: Yoon Ordered Arrest of Police Assistant Commissioner

In 1999, Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the arrest of Police Assistant Commissioner Park Hui-won, who was corrupt despite strong objections from bureaucrats.

January 2002: Yoon Worked as a Lawyer at Bae, Kim & Lee

In January 2002, Yoon Suk Yeol worked briefly as a lawyer at Bae, Kim & Lee but left because he felt the position was unsuitable.

2006: Yoon Apprehended Chung Mong-koo

In 2006, Yoon Suk Yeol apprehended Chung Mong-koo for his complicity in a slush fund case at Hyundai Motor Company.

2008: Yoon Worked on BBK Incident

In 2008, Yoon Suk Yeol worked for the independent counsel team resolving the BBK incident related to President Lee Myung-bak.

2012: Marriage to Kim Keon Hee

In 2012, Yoon Suk Yeol married Kim Keon Hee, who later expressed her preference for the term "president's spouse" instead of "first lady".

May 2017: Yoon Appointed Chief of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office

On 19 May 2017, Yoon Suk Yeol was appointed chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office by the newly elected president Moon Jae-in.

2018: Reduce Carbon Emissions

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 40% from 2018 levels by 2030.

June 2019: Yoon Nominated as Prosecutor General

On 17 June 2019, Yoon Suk Yeol was nominated as prosecutor general, replacing Moon Moo-il. His nomination was welcomed by the Democratic Party and the Party for Democracy and Peace.

January 2020: Yoon Considered Potential Presidential Candidate

Since January 2020, Yoon Suk Yeol had been considered a potential presidential candidate for the 2022 presidential election after the Cho Kuk controversies.

2020: Yoon and Kim became close friends

In 2020, Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Yong-hyun became close friends after Yoon was suspended from his prosecutor general duties. They had a conversation about South Korean political figures, which got Yoon interested in running for president.

January 2021: Yoon Led Presidential Candidate Polls

In a January 2021 poll including all possible presidential candidates, Yoon Suk Yeol led as the most favored with 30.4 percent of the vote.

March 2021: Yoon Resigned as Prosecutor General

In March 2021, Yoon Suk Yeol tendered his resignation as the prosecutor general, which was accepted by President Moon.

June 2021: Yoon Announced Presidential Candidacy

On 29 June 2021, Yoon Suk Yeol announced his candidacy in the 2022 presidential election.

June 2021: Yoon Announced Candidacy for Presidential Election

On 29 June 2021, Yoon Suk Yeol officially announced his candidacy in the 2022 presidential election.

July 2021: Yoon Joined People Power Party

On 30 July 2021, Yoon Suk Yeol officially joined the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

2021: Yoon's Resignation as Prosecutor General

Prior to his resignation as prosecutor general in 2021, Yoon's clashes with the Moon administration led to his rise as a potential presidential candidate.

March 2022: Announcement of Presidential Office Relocation

In March 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol announced that he would move the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan District, Seoul, instead of the Blue House.

March 2022: Yoon Defeated Lee Jae Myung in Election

On 9 March 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly defeated Democratic Party nominee Lee Jae Myung in the presidential election.

May 2022: Opening of the Blue House as a public park

On May 10, 2022, the Blue House was opened to the public as a park, following Yoon's decision to relocate the presidential office.

July 2022: Tax Reform Plan Announced

In July 2022, Yoon's administration announced a tax reform plan, including easing corporate tax rates and adjusting the tax base, with the goal of enhancing corporate competitiveness.

December 2022: Announcement of the Indo-Pacific Strategy

In December 2022, the Yoon administration announced the Indo-Pacific Strategy, a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the economic and security spheres of Indo-Pacific countries.

2022: Fiscal Austerity Policy

In 2022, The Yoon Suk Yeol administration emphasized sound fiscal policy and declared fiscal austerity policy.

2022: Yoon Suk Yeol Became President of South Korea

In 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol became the 13th president of South Korea.

2022: Pet Count in 2022

In 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol owned four dogs and three cats.

October 2023: Condemnation of October 7 Attacks

In October 2023, Yoon condemned the October 7 attacks and sought to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, supporting South Korean companies' participation in the Neom smart city project.

2023: Reversal of Nuclear Phase-Out Policy

In 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol reversed the previous administration's nuclear phase-out policy, resuming construction of nuclear reactors. The goal is to expand nuclear output to 34.6% share of South Korea's electricity generation by 2036, and reduce carbon emissions by 40% from 2018 levels by 2030.

2023: Business Succession Tax Deductions

In 2023, there was an increase in the deduction amount for mid-sized enterprises for 'business succession tax deductions' compared to 2022. Small and medium-sized enterprises also saw their deduction amounts double compared to 2022.

February 2024: South Korea and Saudi Arabia Expand Defense Cooperation

In February 2024, South Korea and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to expand defense cooperation.

2024: Law Outlawing Dog Meat Trade

In 2024, a law outlawing the trade and consumption of dog meat in South Korea was passed under Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency.

2024: Documentary Attendance

On 21 May 2025, Yoon made his first public appearance without connection to his legal cases, attending the premiere in Seoul of a documentary on alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 parliamentary election.

2024: South Korea-Africa Summit

Yoon Suk Yeol has been promoting the 2024 South Korea-Africa Summit for the first time.

2025: Yoon Suk Yeol Removed From Office

In 2025, Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from his presidential office.

2025: Increase in Pet Ownership

In 2025, Yoon Suk Yeol's pet ownership increased to six dogs and five cats.

2025: Minimum Wage Set at 10,030 Won per Hour

In 2025, the minimum wage was set at 10,030 won per hour, leading to protests from some labor representatives who felt the increase rate was too low.

2026: National Fiscal Management Plan

In <2022-2026 National Fiscal Management Plan>, Yoon Suk Yeol government considered that the national debt increased rapidly due to the expanded fiscal management of the previous government.