'Angry' Citizens for Different Reasons... Ignite the Square

Rallies Intensify Following Yoon's Release
Large-Scale Demonstrations Planned Daily Until Ruling
Police Consider Issuing 'Gapho Emergency' Alert

President Yoon Suk-yeol's release following the Seoul Central District Court's approval of the request to cancel his detention has reignited the impeachment support and opposition rallies. Both sides held rallies across the country over the past weekend and continue to hold gatherings in public squares during the week. Meanwhile, the police are on high alert ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial.

Participants are shouting slogans at the "Yoon Seok-yeol Immediate Resignation and Emergency Action for Social Reform, Presidential Impeachment Urging Rally." Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 10th, according to Yoon Suk-yeol Immediate Resignation and Social Reform Emergency Action (Emergency Action), a progressive civic group coalition, the Emergency Action has designated this week as the "Immediate Dismissal Demand Week," with its leadership conducting a hunger strike. On the 8th, they announced, "The co-chairs of the Emergency Action will begin an overnight hunger strike at Exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station and Seosipjagak until President Yoon's dismissal," adding, "We cannot stand by and watch the regression of democracy, destruction of the constitution, and decline of the rule of law."

The Emergency Action plans to file a complaint with the police against Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, who directed President Yoon's release, and hold large-scale rallies near Gyeongbokgung Station every day at 7 p.m. until the impeachment ruling is announced, demanding the president's dismissal. Simultaneously, they will conduct one-person protests and issue declarations on the state of affairs at courts, prosecutors' offices, and government buildings nationwide. Even during the weekend when President Yoon was released, participants supporting impeachment criticized the court and prosecution's decisions and called for President Yoon's dismissal and punishment. They stated, "We have come out to the streets once again to make it clear that immediate dismissal and strict punishment of Yoon Suk-yeol reflect the will of the citizens."

Supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol are cheering in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, supporters of President Yoon gathered in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 8th, when he was released from Seoul Detention Center after 52 days of detention, urging the dismissal of the impeachment. Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who led the rally, held Sunday worship in front of the Lutheran Church near the president's residence. Pastor Jeon said, "With President Yoon's release, the impeachment trial has become meaningless. It's over," adding, "Because the people are foolish, pro-Juche factions and 'Gaeddal' (a derogatory term for supporters of Yoon) have emerged. If the Constitutional Court acts improperly, we will invoke the people's right to resist and wipe them out in one stroke." A participant holding a Taegeukgi flag claimed, "The emergency martial law situation is a true enlightenment order. Our country almost became a vassal state of China," and insisted, "Dismissing the impeachment is only natural." They announced plans to hold rallies in front of the Constitutional Court every day starting from the 10th. A rally led by the Liberty Unification Party was also held in front of the Volvo Building near the Hannam-dong residence. Participants appeared joyful about President Yoon's release, dancing to music.

The police are preparing for any possible incidents on the day of the impeachment ruling. They are considering issuing a 'Gapho Emergency' in Seoul, mobilizing more than 12,000 officers. Gapho Emergency is the highest level of emergency duty system, suspending police officers' annual leave and allowing 100% deployment of available police forces. The deployment of the police special forces is also under consideration to prepare for extreme situations such as self-immolation attempts or violent incidents. During the impeachment ruling of former President Park Geun-hye, some protesters hijacked police buses and rammed barricades, causing a large speaker on top of the bus to fall and fatally injure another participant. In case of emergencies, the police plan to impose traffic restrictions around the Constitutional Court to prevent protesters from entering and are also considering authorizing the use of police batons and capsicum spray based on the on-site commander's judgment. Bus barricades will be set up in two to three layers, and barricades over 4 meters high will be installed. Six schools near the Constitutional Court, including Hannam Elementary, Gyodong Elementary, Jaedong Elementary, and Deokseong Girls' Middle and High Schools, are considering closing on the day of the impeachment ruling.