South Korea: Protests Erupt in Gwangju Over Yoon's Impeachment

Synopsis

On February 15, thousands of protesters gathered in Gwangju, South Korea, on the historic street of the May 18 uprising to either oppose or support the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The demonstrations highlight the ongoing political tensions in the country as the Constitutional Court deliberates on Yoon's future.

Key Takeaways

Protests occurred in Gwangju concerning Yoon's impeachment.
Geumnam-ro symbolizes the May 18 democratic uprising.
Supporters demand Yoon's release from prison.
Nearly 60% of South Koreans support impeachment.
Rallies were organized to prevent clashes between opposing sides.

In Gwangju, on February 15 (NationPress), large groups of demonstrators convened along the historic pathway of the May 18, 1980, democratic uprising in the southwestern city. They either rallied against the removal of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached, or voiced their demands for his ouster. Approximately 10,000 individuals were estimated to have assembled at Geumnam-ro, the central thoroughfare of the city, to join a significant prayer gathering organized by a conservative Christian faction opposing Yoon's removal in light of his brief martial law attempt last December.

Geumnam-ro is renowned as the historic street representing the May 18 democratic uprising in Gwangju in 1980. A tragic number of individuals lost their lives, while many suffered injuries during the military's harsh crackdown on protesters opposing the ruling military regime led by Chun Doo-hwan.

The rally took place as the Constitutional Court continues to hear Yoon's impeachment hearings concerning his unsuccessful martial law initiative. Yoon was detained last month on insurrection charges related to this martial law attempt.

Supporters of Yoon are advocating for his immediate release from incarceration and the validation of election fraud claims, which Yoon has cited as a primary justification for his martial law declaration, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

Meanwhile, those advocating for Yoon's ouster also gathered at Geumnam-ro, separated by police buses intended to avert potential confrontations between opposing political factions.

Approximately 20,000 demonstrators, as estimated by organizers, participated in the rally, chanting messages such as 'Support Yoon's impeachment' and 'Out with far-right forces.'

A recent survey indicated that nearly 60% of South Koreans favor impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law announcement, as the Constitutional Court seems to be nearing a decision on whether to officially remove him from power or restore him.

The poll, conducted by Gallup involving 1,004 adults aged 18 and older from Tuesday to Thursday, revealed that 57 percent supported Yoon's impeachment, a decrease of 2 percentage points from the previous week.