Opposition Holds Nightly Rallies at Gwanghwamun
Ruling Party Launches Pro-Yoon Outdoor Protests
The ruling and opposition parties, faced with the variable of President Yoon Seok-yeol's release, have entered a constitutional court impeachment trial public opinion battle through so-called 'plaza politics.' The opposition party participates in outdoor rallies every night at Gwanghwamun in Seoul, and the People Power Party has also started outdoor struggles centered on the pro-Yoon Seok-yeol (pro-Yoon) faction.
At the emergency national rally of the five opposition parties held near Dongsipjagak in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 10th, participants are shouting slogans demanding the immediate dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News
There are no exceptions even for multi-term lawmakers in the opposition's outdoor struggle led by the Democratic Party. On the morning of the 11th, Kim Min-seok, a Supreme Council member and a four-term Democratic Party lawmaker, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, expressing concern that "(If President Yoon) is not dismissed and returns to office, he will undoubtedly plot a second civil war."
The Democratic Party is in an atmosphere of putting its life on the line in the dismissal public opinion battle by attending daily party meetings and outdoor rallies, overnight sit-ins, and hunger strikes. Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo began a hunger strike demanding President Yoon's dismissal from the 9th, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok, and Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung all started one-person protests.
The 'Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment National Assembly Members' Solidarity (Yontanyeon),' which includes Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Jun-hyeok, Park Soo-hyun, Min Hyung-bae, and Progressive Party lawmaker Yoon Jong-oh, began a hunger strike at Gwanghwamun in Seoul from that day until President Yoon's dismissal, demanding 'immediate re-arrest of Yoon Seok-yeol, resignation of the Prosecutor General who abetted the release, and dissolution of the People Power Party that obstructed the impeachment trial.'
People Power Party members Kim Jeong-jae (holding the red placard in the center) and Jo Seung-hwan are protesting on the 11th in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, claiming the court's ruling was a "hasty judgment." Photo by Yonhap News
The People Power Party also held a party meeting on the 11th to discuss the party's response direction. A pro-Yoon lawmaker said, "Our party's leadership should also join in the sit-ins or protests." Another People Power Party lawmaker emphasized, "So far, individual lawmakers have acted on their own will, but from now on, it is important for the party to show unity regardless of the Constitutional Court's ruling."
The consensus is that the leadership is unlikely to accept this at present. However, Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun stated, "Lawmakers who share the same will are internally resolving to hold overnight sit-ins or relay rallies," adding, "We will start actions in front of the Constitutional Court from today."
Separately, the ruling party leadership is quietly supporting President Yoon's residence politics. Following Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se and Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong's phone call with President Yoon on the 8th, they visited the residence for a chat on the 9th. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong evaluated, "Because the party primary is important, they are currently going along with President Yoon, but after entering the full-scale presidential election phase, they will switch to a centrist strategy," adding, "The division of roles is an unavoidable dilemma and reality faced by the People Power Party."
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