South Korea: Protests for and against Yoon's Impeachment Occur Just 1 Km Apart

Seoul, Dec 28 (NationPress) Tens of thousands of individuals assembled in the heart of the national capital on Saturday to express their views for or against the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his fleeting imposition of martial law.

As of 5:10 p.m., police estimated about 35,000 participants in the anti-Yoon demonstrations near Gyeongbok Palace, although organizers claimed the turnout was over 500,000.

K-pop music resonated through loudspeakers as protesters donned warm winter clothing, waved light sticks, and chanted, "Immediately arrest Yoon Suk Yeol."

Some demonstrators urged the Constitutional Court to remove him from office, while others called for the dissolution of Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP).

Reportedly, Lee Jae-myung, the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, visited the protest site.

Just a kilometer away, near Gwanghwamun Station, supporters of Yoon held a counter-rally.

"Impeachment is invalid," proclaimed a sign held by a protester. Another sign read, "Arrest Lee Jae-myung."

PPP's Yoon Sang-hyun addressed the crowd from a stage, according to Yonhap news agency.

"We were unable to prevent the impeachment motion against our party President. I apologize to our honorable patriotic citizens," he stated before kneeling in front of the audience.

Police indicated that around 35,000 people were at the rally by 5:10 p.m., while organizers estimated attendance at nearly 300,000.

Earlier on December 28, South Korean police conducted a raid on a presidential safe house where President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly met with senior police officials to discuss his intention to impose martial law.

The purpose of the raid was to secure CCTV footage and identify individuals who accessed the building just hours prior to the declaration of martial law on December 3, police reported.

A simultaneous raid was also attempted on the Presidential Security Service, located within the presidential office compound, but investigators were denied entry, according to police.

Authorities were unable to obtain the security camera footage as the Presidential Security Service refused them access to the safe house, citing official and military secrets. After a standoff lasting three hours, the officers withdrew without acquiring any evidence.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Constitutional Court announced it would promptly move forward with President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, concluding the first hearing of the case, with the next session scheduled for January 3.