Citizens at Gwangju 5·18 Plaza Express "Devastation" Over Failure of Impeachment Vote (Comprehensive Report 2)

5·18 Group "Mockery of Democracy and Betrayal of the People"
Mayor Kang Gijeong "Granted Impunity to a Failed Coup"
Governor Kim Yeongrok "Only Feelings of Resentment and Regret"

On the night of the 7th, when sleet was fluttering, citizens gathered at the 5·18 Democracy Square wearing raincoats until late, watching the live broadcast with serious expressions as the impeachment motion against Yoon Seok-yeol failed in the National Assembly vote due to a lack of quorum. Photo by Song Bohyun

After the impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk-yeol was defeated, citizens gathered at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square expressed their despair, saying, "This is heartbreaking. Is this a country?" and united in their voices, "No government or political party can defeat the people. The people will surely prevail."

On the afternoon of the 7th, the impeachment motion against Yoon Suk-yeol, which was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session, failed to meet the quorum as only 195 out of 300 members participated in the vote. Consequently, the impeachment motion was automatically dismissed.

Despite the cold weather with sleet falling, about 5,000 people attended the 4th General Rally of Gwangju Citizens hosted by the Gwangju Emergency Action at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, filling the square.

The citizens waved placards with slogans such as "Arrest and Detain Yoon Suk-yeol, the Chief Culprit of Rebellion," "Social Reform through Constitutional Amendment," "Resign Yoon Suk-yeol, the Traitor Who Violated the Constitution and Led the Rebellion," and "Ignorant Person Who Knows Nothing About Democracy," demanding his resignation.

Members of the May Mothers Association raised their voices, stating, "Yoon Suk-yeol's unconstitutional declaration of martial law is a crime of rebellion and he must be severely punished."

Kim Young-eun (54, female), a participant in the rally, sighed deeply when Speaker Woo Won-shik declared the impeachment invalid, saying, "Is this a country? We must fight to the end to restore the nation. The People Power Party, which betrayed the people, must be disbanded." She emphasized, "No government or political party can defeat the people."

5·18 organizations criticized, "The People Power Party, which should protect the constitution and democracy, has become a loyal dog of the rebels and abandoned its role, resulting in this tragic outcome."

The 5·18 Memorial Foundation and three 5·18 organizations (Injured Association, Meritorious Persons Association, Bereaved Families Association) issued a statement on the same day regarding the rejection of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, saying, "The National Assembly, trampled under military boots, has once again been brutally crushed by the loyal dogs of the chief rebel of the rebellion, damaging democracy and justice in the Republic of Korea." They condemned the rejection of the impeachment motion as "an act of mocking democracy and betraying the people, causing deep disappointment and anger."

The 5·18 organizations vowed, "Today's rejection will fuel the public's judgment against the political circles that have abandoned justice and conscience. We will hold the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and all forces that have protected it accountable to the end, and we will continue to fight alongside all citizens who uphold the spirit of 5·18 against injustice and dictatorship."

Speaker Woo Won-shik declared the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol as "vote invalid due to insufficient quorum" during the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok also expressed disappointment over the rejection of the impeachment motion.

Mayor Kang said, "People Power Party members gave a pardon to a failed coup by refusing to vote. We may shed tears now, but the people are strong and history progresses. It will not take long."

Mayor Kang emphasized, "In 1995, the prosecution decided it had no jurisdiction over the chief rebel of the 5·18 rebellion, stating that 'a successful coup cannot be punished,' but the people punished them not long after."

Governor Kim Young-rok also expressed, "I feel nothing but anger and regret."

On his Facebook page, Governor Kim wrote, "Hundreds of thousands of impeachment supporters in front of the National Assembly are returning home disappointed," adding, "Still, the principled votes of Assemblymen Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook are a great consolation."

Governor Kim added, "There is still hope alive for the future. I hope our people will stay strong for the Republic of Korea."