South Korea: Mass Protests in Seoul Over Yoon's Impeachment
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On March 29, 2023, Seoul witnessed massive protests with tens of thousands rallying either for or against President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his martial law declaration. The crowds demanded immediate action from the Constitutional Court regarding the impeachment trial.
Key Takeaways
- Tens of thousands protested in Seoul.
- Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for invoking martial law.
- Constitutional Court's ruling date is pending.
- Opposition parties held separate rallies supporting Yoon's ouster.
- Supporters of Yoon denounced the impeachment process.
Seoul, March 29 (NationPress) Tens of thousands of individuals gathered in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, either advocating for the removal or reinstatement of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced impeachment due to his brief martial law declaration in December.
Both factions urged the Constitutional Court to expedite its decision on Yoon's impeachment trial, with the court yet to announce a ruling date.
Approximately 15,000 demonstrators assembled near Gyeongbok Palace, brandishing signs demanding Yoon's immediate removal and chanting slogans like “End insurrection and embrace a new world.”
Authorities obstructed traffic on adjacent roads.
“What the Constitutional Court must protect is democracy in this nation, and a ruling for an ouster,” stated Kim Jae-ha, a leader of the organizing civic group.
“Public sentiment has its limits. The Constitutional Court will lose its standing with the public if it continues to ignore warnings,” he added.
The primary opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP), along with four other opposition factions, held a concurrent rally in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, where DP floor leader Park Chan-dae proclaimed: “Where Yoon belongs is in prison. If he is not removed, he will attempt martial law once again.”
In support of Yoon, around 23,000 people convened in central Seoul for a customary weekend rally, labeling the impeachment as “null and void” and calling for a favorable ruling from the Constitutional Court.
The demonstrators had intended to march towards the Constitutional Court but canceled the plan out of safety concerns.
Additionally, Save Korea, a Christian civic organization, organized a separate rally near the National Assembly in the western Seoul district of Yeouido, with approximately 3,000 attendees, including several lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
During the event, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun criticized the Constitutional Court for neglecting its responsibilities by not scheduling a date for Yoon's impeachment ruling, urging the court to “deliver its ruling next week without further delay.”
