Seoul: Thousands of supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the Constitutional Court on Tuesday under a heavy police presence as the detained president appeared for his impeachment trial for the first time.
According to Yonhap News Agency, around 4,000 people joined a conservative rally near the court in central Seoul, while some 200 others gathered separately in support of Yoon around Anguk Station nearby, as per police estimates by 2 p.m. The rallies coincided with Yoon's appearance at the Constitutional Court for the third hearing of his impeachment trial, following his recent arrest over the brief imposition of martial law.
Police took extensive measures to maintain order, deploying 192 police buses to form barricades and a 4-meter-high fence to obscure the court compound from Yoon's supporters. Officers in riot gear were stationed in the area to prevent any potential escalation, especially after a group of Yoon's supporters stormed a Seoul court on Sunday during the issuance of his arrest warrant.
During Yoon's arrival at the court shortly after 1 p.m., a middle-aged woman was detained for assaulting a police officer near Anguk Station. Some supporters, carrying South Korean and U.S. flags, expressed their discontent over the arrest, claiming she was engaging in peaceful protest.
Access to the court was restricted, with only media and court officials permitted entry, prompting police to warn protestors to keep away from the restricted area. In response, protestors chanted for the protection of citizens' right of passage. Additionally, some left-leaning YouTubers were observed using offensive language at large speakers in the vicinity, but no significant clashes occurred due to the strong police presence.