Gwangju Citizens on 'Yoon's Arrest': "A Process of Restoring Things to Their Place"

Citizens React to First Arrest of Sitting President in Constitutional History
47 Days After the December 3 Martial Law Incident
"I Hope the Unstable Political Situation Stabilizes Soon"
"A Lawful Judicial Decision Is Needed... Hoping for Economic Recovery"

"I see this as a process of putting wrongdoings back in their proper place."

Park Junkyung (42, female), whom we met on the morning of the 19th at Songjeong Station in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, evaluated the court's issuance of an arrest warrant for a sitting president for the first time in constitutional history in this way.

She said, "Ever since the December 3 Martial Law, I don't think I've had a good night's sleep. I would wake up at dawn and habitually check breaking news," adding, "I hope the unstable political situation stabilizes as soon as possible."

Citizens are watching related news in the waiting room of Gwangju Songjeong Station on the morning of the 19th, when President Yoon Seokyeol, accused of leading a rebellion, was arrested. Photo by Song Bohyun

On this day, citizens were left speechless when they saw a supporter of President Yoon Sukyeol storming the Seoul Western District Court on TV.

Choi (in his 60s), who clicked his tongue, said, "No matter what, you shouldn't cause a disturbance in court," and added, "I understand the frustration that comes from supporting someone, but that kind of behavior was excessive."

On the morning of the 19th, when President Yoon Seokyeol was detained, citizens at Gwangcheon Terminal in Gwangju were watching related news. Photo by Min Chanki

On the same day at Gwangcheon Bus Terminal in Gwangcheon-dong, Seo-gu, self-employed businessman Park Hansu (57) lamented, "Since President Yoon's December 3 Martial Law declaration, most self-employed people have been struggling to make a living due to the economic downturn."

He continued, "Things haven't improved even after COVID-19. There needs to be a proper judicial decision regarding President Yoon, who caused this political turmoil, and I hope the economy recovers again."

Meanwhile, 47 days after the December 3 Martial Law incident, President Yoon, accused as the ringleader of insurrection, was arrested. The Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon at around 2:50 a.m. that day.