In Seoul, South Korea, the streets were flooded with demonstrators on Saturday, as thousands of citizens participated in significant rallies both supporting and opposing the controversial President Yoon Suk Yeol. This comes as the nation’s Constitutional Court is approaching a decision on whether or not to officially remove him from his position due to his imposition of martial law last December.
The anti-Yoon protestors, carrying banners and signs that demanded the president’s removal from office, congregated near the Constitutional Court. Security in the area had been heightened by the police in anticipation of the upcoming ruling, which could arrive as soon as next week. Meanwhile, supporters of Yoon gathered in adjacent streets, waving South Korean and U.S. flags, backing their vision of a conservative leader they consider a hero. Yoon’s actions, though, have revived memories of South Korea’s military dictatorships of the 1980s. The authorities deployed thousands of officers to maintain order, and there were no reports of significant clashes or injuries.
The organizers of the anti-Yoon assembly claimed that over 1.1 million people participated, but the police estimated numbers to be much lower, in the tens of thousands. The protestors marched towards the court while singing and chanting for Yoon’s removal and demanding his imprisonment over his brief enactment of martial law on December 3rd. President Yoon’s authority was suspended following an impeachment vote by the opposition-heavy National Assembly on December 14th. A protest leader emphasized the urgency of the president’s removal, urging the Constitutional Court to act immediately.
For the impeachment to lead to Yoon’s official removal, at least six out of the eight justices must vote in favor. Should they not reach this majority, Yoon’s presidential duties will be reinstated immediately. Amongst the protestors, 72-year-old Chung Sung-il expressed certainty that the court would remove Yoon. Concerns were raised regarding potential risks if he were to regain power.
Conversely, pro-Yoon gatherings included prominent figures from his conservative People Power Party, like five-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who justified the martial law as a measure against what he described as the liberals’ “legislative dictatorship.” Attendees at these rallies actively voiced their support for Yoon, urging for the dissolution of the National Assembly and defending the president’s intent to safeguard a free democratic South Korea. Yoon has stated that martial law was necessary to counter the opposition, which he accused of using its majority to obstruct his governance.
Despite attempts by several armed forces to maintain control, lawmakers were able to assemble and vote to end martial law, within hours of its declaration. The South Korean constitution only allows such extreme measures in wartime or similar emergencies. Yoon’s legal challenges are accompanied by separate rebellion charges, unsettling the nation’s political and economic landscape. His conservative followers even resorted to violence at the court that sanctioned his arrest. His party, along with his legal team, has questioned the integrity of judicial and law enforcement institutions, while Yoon himself has continued to voice unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
If the Constitutional Court confirms the decision to dismiss Yoon, a presidential by-election would need to be organized within the subsequent two months.
