Martial Law Fallout 'Boiling Over'... Daily Protests for President Yoon's Resignation Also in Gyeongnam

Voices demanding the resignation and impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared martial law ten days ago, are erupting.

The nationwide simultaneous rallies calling for the president's resignation are the first in eight years since the impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016.

A rally demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol is being held at the square in front of Changwon City Hall, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

In Gyeongnam as well, rallies continued in most areas including Geoje, Geochang, Goseong, Gimhae, Namhae, Miryang, Sacheon, Sancheong, Yangsan, Jinju, Changwon, Tongyeong, Hadong, Hapcheon, Haman, and Hamyang.

The rallies are being held under the auspices of the Yoon Seok-yeol Immediate Resignation Social Great Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action, composed mainly of political parties and organizations urging President Yoon’s resignation, as well as local emergency action groups.

The Democratic Party of Korea’s Gyeongnam Provincial Party and Changwon City Council members criticized the ruling party, People Power Party, as a “rebellious party and accomplice involved in treason,” urging them to agree to the impeachment motion. Progressive Party, Justice Party, Innovation Party for the Nation, and civic groups also raised their voices demanding the dissolution of the People Power Party.

The National Public Officials Labor Union Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters is urging the Governor of Gyeongnam Province, mayors, and county heads to state their positions on the impeachment of the president. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

On the 13th, a day before the re-vote on President Yoon’s impeachment, political parties, labor groups, public officials, and youth urged the ruling People Power Party to participate in and approve the impeachment vote.

The Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Government Employees’ Union held a press conference at the provincial government press center that morning, demanding that the governor of Gyeongnam, mayors, and county heads state their positions on President Yoon’s impeachment.

The civic organization Gyeongnam Youth Union is making a political statement in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office. Provided by Gyeongnam Youth Union

The Gyeongnam Youth Union, a civic organization, held a declaration in front of the provincial government building, performing a demonstration where they replaced those unable to attend with dolls, and raised their voices urging Gyeongnam region lawmakers to join in approving President Yoon’s impeachment.

The Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a strike rally near the General Choi Yoon-deok statue on Jungang-daero in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, marched to the Changwon City Council, and sprayed phrases such as “Resign, People Power Changwon City Council members riding the train of rebellion” on the ground at the council entrance using spray paint (lacquer).

Afterwards, they joined the rally held in front of Changwon City Hall, amplifying calls for impeachment.

The Gyeongnam Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is engraving a phrase condemning Changwon City Council members on the ground in front of the entrance to Changwon City Council using spray paint. Photo by Lee Seryeong

The Yoon Seok-yeol Immediate Resignation Social Great Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action announced that from around 2 p.m. on the 14th, when the impeachment re-vote will take place, rallies urging impeachment will be held in various locations across the province including Changwon and Jinju.

They plan to continue the rallies until the Constitutional Court’s ruling is announced after the impeachment vote.

The vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon is scheduled to take place at the National Assembly plenary session around 4 p.m. on the 14th.