[Impeachment of Yoon Passed] Various Sectors in Gwangju and Jeonnam Say "Victory for the People" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Citizens, May Organizations, Local Government Heads, and Education Sector "Welcome"
"Must Punish the Traitors... Fight Until the End"
"Constitutional Court Should Decide 'Dismissal' as Soon as Possible"

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

As the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, triggered by the ‘12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident,’ was passed in the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 14th, various sectors in Gwangju and Jeonnam simultaneously issued statements of ‘welcome’ and called for ‘judicial punishment.’ Civil society organizations also vowed to maintain their resolve, stating, “We must not let our guard down until the Constitutional Court’s final ‘dismissal’ decision is made.”

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

The Emergency Action condemned the ruling party, saying, “It is not yet a complete victory. Although the People Power Party participated in the vote, an overwhelming majority cast opposing votes. They attempted to prolong the rebellion for their own benefit,” and declared, “Let us punish the illegal rebellion so that it can never take root again and complete our victory,” pledging to fight to the end. They further emphasized, “To achieve complete victory, let us create a passionate public forum and unite our demands and strength to ensure politics carries out the will of the people.”

The Mokpo Citizens’ Emergency National Situation Council also stated, “Justice has been served. No matter how ruthless a president is, he cannot defeat the people,” and urged, “Strict investigation and punishment of the rebels are urgent, and the Constitutional Court must make a ‘dismissal’ decision as soon as possible.”

The May 18 Memorial Foundation and the three May 18 organizations (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Meritorious Persons Association) issued a joint statement saying, “The impeachment of President Yoon was passed in the National Assembly in the name of the people’s will and justice,” and “Another historic milestone has been established in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea.” They added, “Impeachment is not the end but the beginning,” and stressed, “We will carry on the spirit of May 18 and fight to the end so that dictatorship and injustice never take root again in this land. Just punishment must follow to restore constitutional order.”

Regarding President Yoon’s national address immediately after the impeachment motion was passed, the May 18 organizations criticized, “He showed the height of shamelessness by issuing a statement without reflection or responsibility,” and “We cannot contain our anger at his lack of even minimal self-restraint as someone who trampled on democracy and constitutional order.”

On the afternoon of the 14th, at the Gumnam-ro area, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung, Dong-gu District Mayor Im Taek, and Gwangju Urban Corporation President Kim Seung-nam attended the Gwangju Citizens' General Rally, shouting slogans together with the citizens. Photo by Gwangju City

Local government heads in Gwangju and Jeonnam also issued statements, addresses, and posts on social media one after another.

Attending the rally at Geumnam-ro in Gwangju that afternoon, Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju expressed in an official statement, “The impeachment motion against the president who trampled on the National Assembly with military boots and aimed guns at the people has been passed. It is a day the people have won,” and reflected, “From the declaration of martial law to the passage of the impeachment motion today, our people were brave, creative, and mature.”

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok issued a statement saying, “The passage of the impeachment motion stopped the anti-state, anti-constitution, and anti-democracy outrage. It is the victory of the people who tirelessly called for impeachment despite the biting cold,” and added, “Everyone must unite to restore the Republic of Korea to what it was before December 3rd as soon as possible, and we will implement measures to stabilize people’s livelihoods so that residents can quickly return to their daily lives.”

Lim Taek, chairman of the Gwangju District Mayors’ Council, said, “The people stopped Yoon Seok-yeol’s coup and achieved impeachment,” and “Now, we will do our best to stabilize livelihoods that have been affected by the aftermath of the emergency martial law.”

Mayor Jeong In-hwa of Gwangyang stated in a statement, “The full truth of this incident must be revealed to protect the constitutional order and democracy of the Republic of Korea,” and emphasized, “Those responsible must be punished to serve as a historical lesson.”

County head Koo Bok-gyu of Hwasun posted on his Facebook, “It is the victory of the great people and democracy,” adding, “Even under cloudy skies, the sun shines, and after rain, a rainbow appears.”

Park Hong-ryul, mayor of Mokpo, who had been criticized for withholding his position during the emergency martial law on the 3rd, quickly issued a statement on this day, saying, “It is the victory of the great people.”

Reactions from the heads of education in Gwangju and Jeonnam were also conveyed.

Lee Jung-sun, superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, said on Facebook, “It is a victory achieved together by the citizens of Gwangju and the entire nation,” and stressed, “Gwangju education will continue to nurture our children as proud democratic citizens based on the spirit of May 18.”

Kim Dae-jung, superintendent of Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, expressed, “It was a time when democracy and the constitution were alive and breathing,” and shared, “Seeing parents and children participating in dialogue and rallies together, I saw the bright future of the Republic of Korea.”

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 extraordinary session held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The local political circles also welcomed the impeachment and urged the Constitutional Court to promptly decide on dismissal.

Shin Soo-jung, chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, said, “It is the victory of the great people and democracy. Gwangju in May 1980 helped the Republic of Korea in 2024,” and added, “It is the most moving answer to Han Kang’s question, ‘Can the past help the present?’” Chairperson Shin continued, “Our great people have restored the Republic of Korea, which was plunging into ruin due to the Yoon Seok-yeol regime’s misrule and the unprecedented martial law incident, back to a hopeful nation,” and urged, “The Constitutional Court must promptly begin impeachment proceedings and make a ‘dismissal’ decision as soon as possible.”

All members of the Democratic Party and independent councilors of the Gwangju City Council stated, “The National Assembly impeached only 11 days after the surprise declaration of martial law at midnight. It is the great victory of the people who called for Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment amid the biting cold and chilling winds,” and argued, “Yoon Seok-yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion who destroyed constitutional order, must be arrested and punished. He must be recorded as a sinner in history through punishment.”

The Democratic Party’s Gwangju branch issued a commentary saying, “May 18 Gwangju protected democracy in the Republic of Korea in 2024,” and “We thank the people who stood in front of the National Assembly on the day of the illegal martial law to block the martial law troops and protect democracy today.”

The Justice Party’s Jeonnam branch also stated, “The people have won. Let us start the journey toward a new Republic of Korea now,” and emphasized, “Legal and political punishment of the ringleader of the rebellion who declared war on the people and his accomplices and collaborators is absolutely necessary.”

Meanwhile, the impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed in the plenary session of the National Assembly with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 members present. At 7:24 p.m. that day, a certified copy of the impeachment resolution was delivered to the Presidential Office, suspending President Yoon’s duties.