[Impeachment Motion Against Yoon Passed] Various Groups in Gwangju and Jeonnam "Fight to the End" (Comprehensive)

"Constitutional Court Must Make a Decision Soon"
"We Will Fight So That Dictatorship and Injustice Cannot Take Root"

On the 14th, 11 days after the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident,' the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. The Gwangju and Jeonnam communities collectively welcomed it as a "victory for the people," while also reaffirming their determination to continue the struggle, stating that "we must not let our guard down until the Constitutional Court's final decision."

The ‘Gwangju Emergency Action for the Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime and Social Reform,’ composed of civic groups in the Gwangju area, declared in a statement that "the people have won," and added, "We will not let go of the struggle until complete victory is achieved."

The Emergency Action stated, “This is not yet a complete victory. Although the People Power Party voted, an overwhelming majority cast dissenting votes. They attempted to prolong the rebellion for their own interests,” and defined, “Our victory is still incomplete until a new political system is established where illegal rebellion acts can no longer take root.” They further urged, “Let us create a passionate public forum for complete victory and unite our demands and strength to ensure politics carries out the people's mandate.”

The three 5·18 public law organizations (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Meritorious Persons Association) and the 5·18 Memorial Foundation jointly stated, “In the name of the people's will and justice, the National Assembly has passed the impeachment of President Yoon,” adding, “Another historic milestone has been established in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea.” They emphasized, “Impeachment is not the end but the beginning,” and pledged, “We will carry on the spirit of 5·18 and fight to the end so that dictatorship and injustice never take root again on this land.”

Citizens attending the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on the special stage at Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, cheered as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol was passed. Photo by Song Bohyun

At the rally, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung said, “This is the National Assembly’s first judgment against the martial law rebellion forces and a victory for the people who cheered with warm hands holding light sticks,” and called for, “Let us move forward together for a stronger democracy.”

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok issued a statement saying, “With the passage of the impeachment motion, the anti-state, anti-constitution, and anti-democracy outrage has been stopped. We will implement measures to stabilize people’s livelihoods so that residents can quickly return to their daily lives,” and added, “We have barely fastened the first button to revive democracy and the national economy. Everyone must unite to restore the Republic of Korea to its state before December 3 as soon as possible.”

Gwangju City Council Chairperson Shin Su-jeong said, “Gwangju in May 1980 helped the Republic of Korea in 2024,” and stated, “Our great people have restored hope to the Republic of Korea, which was plunging into chaos due to the Yoon Seok-yeol regime’s misrule and the unprecedented martial law incident. The Constitutional Court must promptly begin the impeachment trial and make a decision as soon as possible.”

All members of the Gwangju City Council from the Democratic Party and independents declared, “The National Assembly impeached only 11 days after the sudden declaration of emergency martial law at midnight,” and insisted, “Yoon Seok-yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion who destroyed the constitutional order, must be arrested and punished. He must be recorded in history as a criminal through punishment.”

Speaker Woo Won-shik is announcing the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol at the 4th plenary session of the 419th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Meanwhile, the impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 members present and voting. Accordingly, President Yoon’s duties as head of diplomacy, defense, and administration are immediately suspended. Subsequently, the system will shift to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo acting as president, and the Constitutional Court will promptly begin a trial lasting up to 180 days.