Supporters of Impeached President Yoon Gather at Constitutional Court
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On January 21, thousands rallied in support of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol near the Constitutional Court in Seoul. The event marked Yoon's first appearance at his impeachment trial, with significant police presence managing the crowd and ensuring order.
Key Takeaways
- Thousands of Yoon's supporters gathered near the Constitutional Court.
- Yoon attended his impeachment trial for the first time.
- Police presence included barricades and riot gear.
- A woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer.
- Demonstrations highlighted tensions surrounding martial law declaration.
Seoul, Jan 21 (NationPress) Thousands of supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol assembled near the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, amid a significant police presence, as the detained president attended his impeachment trial for the first time.
Approximately 4,000 individuals participated in a conservative rally close to the court in central Seoul, with around 200 gathering separately in support of Yoon near Anguk Station, according to police estimates reported at 2 p.m.
The demonstrations coincided with Yoon's appearance at the Constitutional Court for the third session of his impeachment trial, occurring just days after his formal arrest due to his brief declaration of martial law, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The police deployed 192 buses to create barricades in the area for crowd control, and a 4-meter-high fence was installed near the court to obstruct the view for Yoon's supporters.
Riot police stood guard to avert any potential escalation of tensions, particularly after a group of Yoon's supporters clashed with authorities at a Seoul court on Sunday when a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Shortly after Yoon arrived at the court just past 1 p.m., a middle-aged woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer as she attempted to breach police lines near Anguk Station.
Some supporters, waving South Korean and US flags, protested her arrest, asserting that she was merely exercising her right to peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, police restricted entry to the court, permitting only media personnel and court officials, while warning protestors to stay away from the restricted area. In response, the protestors chanted, "ensure the citizens' right of passage."
Left-leaning YouTubers were observed cursing at large speakers set up in the vicinity, yet the police presence helped avoid significant clashes.
Earlier that day, Yoon appeared at the Constitutional Court to participate in a trial evaluating his impeachment related to the brief imposition of martial law.
Yoon departed the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, located just south of the capital, in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service and entered the court through an underground parking facility, out of sight from the public.
At 2 p.m., he entered a courtroom dressed in a suit for the third hearing of his trial, where he is anticipated to defend his December 3 declaration of martial law.
