Seoul: Rallies were held across South Korea on Saturday as citizens took to the streets to express their stance on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impending impeachment, with the Constitutional Court's final hearing approaching.
According to Yonhap News Agency, conservative activist pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon led a significant gathering in the Gwanghwamun area of central Seoul at 1 p.m. to voice opposition to President Yoon's impeachment. Pastor Jeon urged a mass mobilization of 30 million people on March 1, Independence Movement Day, to support this cause. While the police estimated the crowd at around 30,000, the organizers claimed a massive turnout of 3 million participants.
In Daejeon, located 137 kilometers south of Seoul, a conservative Christian group named "Save Korea" orchestrated a large-scale rally opposing the impeachment. Participants displayed signs advocating for Yoon's release from detention and demanded the Constitutional Court dismiss the impeachment charges. Official police estimates noted about 10,000 attendees, although organizers anticipated a participation of 20,000. Parallel protests were seen in Incheon and Daegu, with significant public engagement.
Conversely, rallies supporting Yoon's impeachment also took place nationwide. Near Gyeongbokgung Station, approximately 11,000 demonstrators called for Yoon's immediate removal and urged the Constitutional Court for a swift decision on the impeachment matter. The organizers claimed the presence of about 100,000 participants. Similarly, at Anguk Station, close to the Constitutional Court, police estimated 9,000 attendees, whereas organizers reported a turnout of 35,000.
The Constitutional Court is set to conduct the final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial on Tuesday. The verdict will determine whether President Yoon will be permanently removed from office or reinstated. The impeachment by the National Assembly stemmed from Yoon's brief imposition of martial law on December 3.