Seoul: Protesters from opposing political factions gathered across South Korea on Saturday in massive rallies, defying cold weather to either support or oppose the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. One faction demanded Yoon's resignation, while the other opposed his ouster.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a large assembly of protesters, led by conservative activist pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, convened in the Gwanghwamun area of central Seoul. They called for Yoon's release from detention, where he faces insurrection charges following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. The protestors carried signs advocating for the nullification of Yoon's impeachment. Organizers claimed a turnout of 3 million, though police unofficially estimated the crowd at around 35,000.
During the rally, Yoon Sang-hyun, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), encouraged the attendees to remain hopeful for Yoon's return. Meanwhile, a separate rally took place near Gyeongbokgung Station, where approximately 5,000 people demanded Yoon's immediate ouster and urged the Constitutional Court to expedite its ruling on the impeachment.
In another demonstration near Anguk Station, closer to the Constitutional Court, around 10,000 protesters took to the streets. Similar rallies were observed in other cities, including the liberal-leaning Gwangju, located 270 kilometers south of Seoul, and the more conservative Daegu, 235 kilometers southeast of the capital.
Gwangju witnessed its first pro-Yoon, anti-impeachment rally since the martial law incident in December. Organized by a conservative YouTuber, the rally included participants from Seoul. The Gwangju metropolitan government had earlier denied the YouTuber's request to assemble at a square dedicated to the May 18, 1980, democratic uprising. Instead, the square hosted hundreds of protesters calling for Yoon's immediate removal in their routine weekly gathering.
The Gwangju Council of Citizen's Movement, an activist group conducting Saturday rallies since December, expressed its "outrage at some ultrarightists' attempts to justify the illegal declaration of martial law in Gwangju, the holy ground of democracy."
In Daegu, a massive protest against Yoon's impeachment saw participation from a few PPP lawmakers and North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo in the early afternoon. Later, hundreds from civic and labor groups gathered in central Daegu to express support for Yoon's impeachment.