‘Naeran Sugoe’ Yoon Seok-yeol Dismissal and Immediate Arrest
“Impeachment Must Be Completed Through Second Vote” Demand
March from Namdong Cathedral to 5·18 Minju Square
On the afternoon of the 12th, priests, nuns, and believers from the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju marched around Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, holding placards and night sticks with slogans such as "Dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol, the second Jeon Du-hwan, the chief instigator of rebellion" and "Immediate impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol, the chief instigator of rebellion." Photo by Song Bohyun
Catholic priests, nuns, and believers in the Gwangju area held a 'State Mass' calling for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol and took to the streets in a march.
About 1,400 priests, nuns, and believers belonging to the Justice and Peace Committee (Jeongpyeongwi) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju gathered at Namdong Cathedral in Dong-gu, Gwangju at 7 p.m. on the 12th to hold the ‘State Mass for True Justice and Peace in the Republic of Korea,’ demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Namdong Cathedral, where the rally was held, is called the '5·18 Memorial Cathedral' as it has held memorial masses for the victims of the May 18 Uprising every year. This place was also where democratic figures gathered during the May 18 Democratic Movement in 1980 to discuss measures to prevent civilian casualties. Since then, Namdong Cathedral has become a center for human rights activism.
The mass, presided over by Bishop Simon Ok Hyun-jin, began with the first reading, responsorial psalm, gospel acclamation, homily, and offertory in sequence.
The believers attended holding placards with phrases such as “Remove the second Jeon Du-hwan, the ringleader of the rebellion, Yoon Suk-yeol” and “Impeach the ringleader of the rebellion Yoon Suk-yeol immediately.” Some believers filled the cathedral to capacity and participated in the mass from outside the cathedral.
On the afternoon of the 12th, the "Mass for the Right Justice and Peace of the Republic of Korea" is being held at Namdong Catholic Church in Namdong, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun
In a statement issued that day, Jeongpyeongwi declared, “Yoon Suk-yeol’s current emergency martial law is a personal coup d'?tat to protect himself and his wife Kim Keon-hee, and a rebellion against the entire nation.”
They also pointed out, “Many members of the People Power Party did not attend the National Assembly plenary session to lift the martial law and abstained from voting on the impeachment motion, invalidating it,” adding, “Yoon Suk-yeol’s rebellion is not over yet.”
Quoting Yoon’s oath in his inaugural speech to “abide by the Constitution,” Jeongpyeongwi stated, “He violated the Constitution through acts of rebellion. He is no longer the president of the Republic of Korea,” emphasizing, “Yoon Suk-yeol and his cohorts, who destroyed Korean democracy in an instant, must be punished with the maximum penalty prescribed by Korean law.”
They continued, “The National Investigation Headquarters must promptly investigate Yoon Suk-yeol and his cohorts for the crime of rebellion and arrest them,” and “Although the first impeachment attempt failed due to the People Power Party, accomplices in the rebellion, the National Assembly must complete the impeachment through a second vote.” They added, “If the second attempt fails, then the third, and if the third fails, then the fourth. We will stand in solidarity with all forces striving to protect democracy in the Republic of Korea.”
After the statement, participants raised their voices with slogans such as “The people demand it. Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol,” “National Investigation Headquarters, arrest Yoon Suk-yeol,” and “Punish the second Jeon Du-hwan, the ringleader of the rebellion, Yoon Suk-yeol.”
On the afternoon of the 12th, priests, nuns, and believers from the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju marched around Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, holding placards and night sticks with slogans such as "Dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol, the second Jeon Du-hwan, the chief of rebellion" and "Immediate impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol, the chief of rebellion." Photo by Song Bohyun
After the mass, priests, nuns, and believers of Jeongpyeongwi marched from Namdong Cathedral to the 5·18 Democracy Square, where an impeachment rally was being held, chanting “Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol.” Upon their arrival, many citizens at the rally greeted them with cheers and applause.
A nun who took the stage that day said, “Thanks to Yoon Suk-yeol, I have come to realize that May 18 has become a significant event in my life. Now, I can sincerely mourn all those who fought for democracy,” adding, “It is not over yet. Let us not give up and walk into the light.”
Archbishop Ok Hyun-jin said, “Though the world is filled with darkness, hardship, hatred, and despair, I believe our attitude should be to live our path faithfully as democratic citizens without despair. None of us will collapse.”
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