KCTU Rally Urging 'Yoon Impeachment'... Clashes with Police During March to Yongsan

March to Namyeong Sageori after rally
Police block with career barricades
Overlap with conservative groups and routes

On the 12th, when President Yoon Seok-yeol announced a national address regarding the December 3 emergency martial law, a rally urging the president's impeachment was held in downtown Seoul.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the "Emergency Action for Yoon Seok-yeol's Immediate Resignation and Social Reform" held a "Workers and Citizens Rally" on Sejong-daero in Jung-gu, Seoul, criticizing, "On December 12, when the new military regime led by Chun Doo-hwan staged a military coup, Yoon Seok-yeol justified rebellion, trampled on the people, and declared he would fight."

On the 12th, near Namyeong Samgeori in Seoul, members of organizations including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, who were marching toward the Presidential Office demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the dissolution of the People Power Party, clashed with police trying to stop them. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The organizers estimated about 10,000 participants at the rally, while the police unofficially estimated 4,000. Rally participants held hand placards with slogans such as "Impeach the rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol! Arrest him," and "Condemn illegal martial law, Yoon Seok-yeol step down," shouting slogans like "Disband the People Power Party that colludes with rebellion," and "Immediately arrest the rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol."

After the rally, the participants marched toward Namyeong Samgeori in Yongsan-gu. They attempted to proceed to the Yongsan Presidential Office, but when the police blocked their path citing overlap with a conservative group's march route, a physical confrontation ensued. The participants climbed over barricades, occupied all lanes, and pushed back the police, who responded by using police personnel and vehicle barriers to block them.

After about 30 minutes of standoff with the police, the participants dispersed but regrouped around 5 p.m. in front of Hangangjin Station, broke through the police blockade, and headed toward the presidential residence.