Large Protest Demands Resignation of South Korean President in Seoul Ahead of Impeachment Vote
Click to start listening
Seoul, Dec 7 (NationPress) A large assembly of demonstrators convened on Saturday in the western part of Seoul to demand the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol following this week’s turmoil regarding martial law.
This significant protest unfolded in Yeouido, home to the National Assembly, as lawmakers prepared to cast their votes on an impeachment motion against Yoon, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
In an unexpected move, Yoon proclaimed emergency martial law on Tuesday night, but he revoked it mere hours later when the opposition-led parliament voted against it.
Prior to the vote earlier on Saturday, the President issued a public apology and assured that he would not impose martial law again.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the nation's largest labor unions, was present at the gathering.
“An apology cannot cover up treason,” the KCTU stated, demanding the immediate impeachment and arrest of Yoon.
Another prominent labor group, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, also criticized the president, asserting that his apology was a tactic to thwart the impeachment motion.
Support for the impeachment also emerged from the legal sector.
The Korean Bar Association released a statement shortly after Yoon’s public address, endorsing the impeachment. “We support the impeachment of the president for undermining the constitutional order with an unconstitutional martial law declaration,” it said.
Individuals from various civic organizations nationwide, including those from Gwangju, Daejeon, and Busan, traveled by bus to join the protest in Seoul.
A man in his fifties was arrested by police after attempting to set himself on fire near the National Assembly in protest of Yoon’s martial law declaration, according to officials.
Authorities plan to deploy hundreds of officers to facilitate traffic detours around the march route in central Seoul and Yeouido.
“While this situation is extremely sensitive and challenging, we will exert our utmost efforts to ensure safety,” a police representative stated. “We will coordinate with the organizers to minimize disruption for the public.”
