Nationwide Protests in South Korea Concerning Yoon's Impeachment Ahead of Final Hearing
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Synopsis
As the final hearing for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment approaches, South Korea witnesses nationwide protests both supporting and opposing his removal. The rallies were marked by significant participation, highlighting the deep divisions in public opinion regarding Yoon's presidency.
Key Takeaways
- Protests across South Korea regarding Yoon's impeachment.
- Significant participation in rallies both for and against Yoon.
- Final hearing by the Constitutional Court scheduled soon.
- Public opinion remains deeply divided on Yoon's presidency.
- Calls for mass mobilization on Independence Movement Day.
Seoul, Feb 23 (NationPress) Protests erupted throughout South Korea as citizens rallied either in support of or in opposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, coinciding with the imminent final hearing of his trial by the Constitutional Court.
A gathering led by conservative pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon took place in the Gwanghwamun district of central Seoul at 1 p.m., where they expressed their opposition to Yoon's impeachment, according to the Yonhap news agency.
He declared, 'The time has come for us to put an end to this.' Jeon called upon 30 million citizens to march in Gwanghwamun on March 1, coinciding with Independence Movement Day next Saturday.
Unofficial police estimates indicated an attendance of 30,000, while organizers claimed that as many as 3 million were present at the event.
In the central city of Daejeon, located 137 kilometers south of Seoul, a conservative Christian organization named 'Save Korea' organized a significant rally opposing Yoon's impeachment.
Participants displayed signs advocating for Yoon's release from detention and the dismissal of his impeachment by the Constitutional Court.
While police estimated around 10,000 participants, organizers anticipated an attendance of 20,000. Similar rallies were also conducted in Incheon, west of Seoul, and Daegu, roughly 230 km southeast of the capital.
Counter-protests advocating for Yoon's impeachment took place nationwide.
A rally near Gyeongbokgung Station attracted about 11,000 people demanding Yoon's immediate removal and urging a swift decision from the Constitutional Court regarding his impeachment. Organizers claimed the actual attendance was around 100,000.
Nearby, at Anguk Station close to the Constitutional Court, police estimated 9,000 participants, while organizers stated that 35,000 attended.
The final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial is set for Tuesday, after which the Constitutional Court will determine whether he will be ousted or reinstated.
Yoon faced impeachment from the National Assembly due to his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.
