Gwangju Citizens Again Call for Yoon's Dismissal and Punishment at 5.18 Democracy Square

7th Nationwide Rally Urges Constitutional Court Dismissal
1,000 Participants Wave Signs and Cheer Sticks, Chant Slogans

"It is not time to stop yet. Once again, to the square!"

Citizens who had gathered at Geumnam-ro in Gwangju, the "Street of May," to support the passage of the impeachment bill against President Yoon Suk-yeol in the National Assembly, continued their weekend rally at the May 18 Democracy Square, calling on the Constitutional Court to remove President Yoon from office.

The Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol Regime and Social Reform, a coalition of 175 civic groups in Gwangju, held the 7th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally for Yoon Suk-yeol's Immediate Resignation at 4 p.m. on the 22nd at the May 18 Democracy Square.

Despite the cold weather and falling snow, about 1,000 citizens joined the rally, bundled up in thick padding and scarves, holding in their hands "Yoon Suk-yeol Resignation Rice Cake" made by residents of Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, instead of hot packs.

A citizen attending the 7th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seokyeol, held at the 5.18 Democracy Square on the afternoon of the 21st, is holding a placard. Photo by Song Bohyun

Participants, following the slogans led by the host, repeatedly shouted, "Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol, the destroyer of constitutional order and ringleader of rebellion!", "Disband the People Power Party, the party of rebellion, immediately!", and "Strictly punish those who aided and abetted the rebellion!" while waving homemade placards and cheering sticks.

One citizen, who said they only attend weekend rallies due to weekday commitments, commented, "I want to rest, but I will continue to come to the square until a clear outcome is achieved." Another citizen holding a cheering stick that read "Yoon Suk-yeol Impeachment" said, "As I prepare for employment, I am deeply worried about the country," and added, "I hope things return to normal soon so that citizens' daily lives can be restored."

Gwangju Emergency Action called for strict punishment for those responsible for the rebellion and the upholding of Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, stating, "We will continue our rallies to demand the punishment of those responsible for the rebellion, including arrest and investigation, and the dissolution of the People Power Party, which rejected the impeachment."

They emphasized, "Since punishment is the condition for complete victory, there must be arrest and investigation of Yoon Suk-yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, and a thorough investigation of all those involved."

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, encouraged participation in the first weekend rally following the passage of the impeachment bill against President Yoon.

Lee posted on his Facebook page, "As writer Han Kang said, the spirits who fell to the bayonets of the martial law army saved us today," and added, "The light of May Gwangju is advancing beyond candlelight to a revolution of light, and the rice balls of Geumnam-ro have been revived as advance payments in Yeouido."

He continued, "The revolution of light is only just beginning," and added, "Let us overcome the counterattack of those who sought to become eternal rulers, and prove with our own hands that the people are the true owners of this country."