Amid Severe Cold, Pro and Con Rallies for 'Yoon Impeachment' Held Nationwide

Pro-Impeachment Rally at Gwanghwamun Begins at 5 p.m.
Gwangju Metropolitan City and University Students Also Hold Pro-Impeachment Rallies
Anti-Impeachment Group Save Korea Holds Prayer Meetings in 12 Cities Nationwide
25,000 Gather at Anti-Impeachment Rally at Dongdaegu Station

Despite the severe cold with a wind chill temperature reaching minus 10 degrees Celsius during the day on the weekend of the 8th, pro and anti-impeachment rallies for President Yoon Suk-yeol were held across the country.

The conservative Protestant group Save Korea held a 'National Emergency Prayer Meeting' opposing President Yoon's impeachment near Exit 3 of the National Assembly Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, starting at noon that day. Participants held signs reading "Save the Republic of Korea" and "SAVE KOREA." The group held rallies in 12 locations nationwide, including Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Chuncheon, Daejeon, and Jeju, in addition to Seoul. In particular, more than 25,000 people, according to unofficial police estimates, gathered at the rally held at Dongdaegu Station Square in Daegu.

On the afternoon of the 8th, the Protestant group Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting at Dongdaegu Station Plaza, urging opposition to the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and calling for his release. Photo by Yonhap News

Among the participants at the Daegu rally were members of the People Power Party from Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Additionally, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, led the singing of the national anthem on stage. Participants held signs opposing President Yoon's impeachment, waved the Taegeukgi and the U.S. flag, and shouted, "Release President Yoon."

At the Daegu rally, well-known Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil took the stage and drew attention with his remarks. Jeon stated, "The Democratic Party, which is trying to impeach the president elected by the people and paralyze the executive branch and the national system, is the very subject of rebellion," and further claimed, "This is an awakening that revealed the hidden actions of the media, the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Unit, the (Seoul) Western District Court, and the Constitutional Court composed of biased judges that have destroyed the rule of law, fairness, and common sense." He added, "Thank you to the one million patriotic citizens who filled Dongdaegu Station Square and the surrounding roads," and said, "We are making new history." The Daegu Police Agency deployed about 500 officers around Dongdaegu Station for traffic control that day.

Famous Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil raises both arms high before speaking at the National Emergency Prayer Meeting hosted by Save Korea, held on the afternoon of the 8th at Dongdaegu Station Plaza. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, an anti-impeachment rally led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church was held around Gwanghwamun in Seoul. The rally drew an unofficial police estimate of about 35,000 people.

The pro-impeachment rally hosted by the "Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform" was held at 5 p.m. at Gwanghwamun.

On the afternoon of the 8th, participants of the Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration and Social Reform rally, supporting the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, shouted slogans at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, encouraged attendance at the pro-impeachment rally at Gwanghwamun Square by posting on his fan cafe "Jaemyung's Village" the day before. He said, "The rebellion has not yet ended," and added, "We must unite to protect democracy and the constitutional order and to write a new history of hope and solidarity." He also urged, "Please join the festival of light that drives away darkness," and advised, "Since severe cold is expected, dress warmly."

There were speculations that Lee Jae-myung would attend the Gwanghwamun rally in person, but it is known that senior members of the leadership will participate individually. The Emergency Action group plans to march from Gwanghwamun through Jonggak to the Bank of Korea intersection after the rally.

Additionally, the National University Students' Emergency Meeting for Yoon Suk-yeol's Resignation issued a declaration condemning the Seoul Western District Court riot and other incidents in front of the Woldae at Gwanghwamun from 2:30 p.m. that day. The Candlelight Action held a cultural event near Anguk Station, where the Constitutional Court is located, starting at 3 p.m., followed by a march to Dongsipja Rotary.

Police expect severe traffic congestion in various parts of Seoul and are operating reversible lanes around the rally sites while deploying about 240 traffic police officers to manage vehicle flow.