"Calls for Yoon's Impeachment"... Five District Mayors in Gwangju Hold 'Solo Protests'

Twice Daily Commutes During Work Hours Until Impeachment Bill Passes

On the morning of the 12th, the heads of five district offices in the Gwangju area held a "one-person protest" in front of each district office, holding placards that read "Impeach Yoon Seok-yeol for illegal martial law and rebellion, opposing impeachment is complicity in rebellion." From the left in the photo are Im Taek, Dong-gu District Head; Kim I-gang, Seo-gu District Head; Kim Byeong-nae, Nam-gu District Head; Moon In, Buk-gu District Head; and Park Byeong-gyu, Gwangsan-gu District Head. Photo by Min Chan-gi

Five district mayors in the Gwangju area have begun 'one-person picket protests' during commuting hours, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

According to the Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 12th, Democratic Party-affiliated local government heads nationwide will conduct one-person picket protests in front of their respective offices for one hour during commuting times, urging President Yoon to step down starting from this day.

Accordingly, in Gwangju, Dong-gu Mayor Im Taek, Seo-gu Mayor Kim I-gang, Nam-gu Mayor Kim Byeong-nae, Buk-gu Mayor Moon In, and Gwangsan-gu Mayor Park Byeong-gyu began one-person picket protests from the morning of the same day. They decided to hold the protests twice daily?from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.?until the impeachment motion is passed.

Im Taek, Dong-gu Mayor, said, "Citizens have been continuously participating in candlelight rallies despite the cold, and if there is something I can do to join them, I wanted to participate." He added, "There will be a vote on the impeachment motion in the National Assembly on the 14th, and I took to protesting to convey the absolute public opinion and to demand politicians join in approving the impeachment."

Kim I-gang, Seo-gu Mayor, stated, "Due to the 'martial law and rebellion situation,' the entire nation has clearly come to know who the 'ringleader of the rebellion' is." He continued, "Since the announcement of martial law, the economy has worsened. President Yoon must resign as soon as possible for the stability of the Republic of Korea and the economy."

Kim Byeong-nae, Nam-gu Mayor, said, "Martial law was an act of mocking the people. It is extremely dangerous that the president currently holds the command of the armed forces." He added, "If we wait for the resignation, a second martial law could be declared. Citizens are coming out to the streets despite the cold, and if the political circles also demand participation in the impeachment vote, I believe impeachment will be achieved in this vote."

Moon In, Buk-gu Mayor, explained, "Last Friday and Saturday, I went up to Yeouido to attend rallies. When I cannot go to Seoul, I also attend the rallies held daily at the May 18 Democratic Plaza." He added, "President Yoon’s resignation is the will of the people. I believe all citizens share the same sentiment, and 71 Democratic Party basic local government heads have taken up pickets."

Park Byeong-gyu, Gwangsan-gu Mayor, stated, "What the entire nation desires is President Yoon’s resignation, political stability, and recovery of people’s livelihoods. The president acted in violation of the Constitution and laws, and some people have supported this." He continued, "The political circles need to face these issues and accept them as reality, and quickly impeach the president. After impeachment, a nationwide consensus process is also necessary to achieve a grand social reform."

Meanwhile, after finishing their protests at their respective locations on the day, the district mayors gathered at the Gwangju Dong-gu Office to discuss measures to support the stabilization of people’s livelihoods.