Civil Society and Political Circles Continue Rallies at May 18 Democracy Square for 100 Days
Lawyers and Local Councils Join in Unison: "Restore Constitutional Order"
Kang Gijung and Kim Youngrok Hold Solo Protests, Democratic Party Lawmakers Stage Head-Shaving and Hunger Strikes
Voices demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol are erupting across Gwangju and Jeonnam. On the 100th day since the declaration of martial law on December 3, from civil society to the political sphere, people are calling for the Constitutional Court to make an immediate decision, staging head-shaving protests, hunger strikes, and overnight demonstrations.
At a press conference held on the 12th at the May 18 Democracy Square, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Emergency Situation Council and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Democratization Movement Comrades Association stated, "If the ringleader of the rebellion is not sent back to prison, the rule of law in our country will collapse," and urged, "The Constitutional Court must decide on the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol within this week."
The legal community also continued to demand the acceptance of the impeachment. The Gwangju Bar Association issued a statement emphasizing, "The Constitutional Court is the last bastion for protecting the constitutional order," and "It must make a swift and resolute decision to calm the public's anxiety and confusion." The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of Lawyers for a Democratic Society also stated, "The Constitutional Court's impeachment decision will be the starting point for ending division and chaos in the Republic of Korea and restoring constitutional order."
The Seo-gu Council of Gwangju also issued a statement, saying, "Citizens are waiting for the prompt dismissal of Yoon Suk-yeol," and urged, "The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials should immediately arrest him, and the Constitutional Court should quickly decide on impeachment."
The Gwangju Emergency Action for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seokyeol and Social Reform, composed of over 180 civic groups from Gwangju and Jeonnam, began an overnight sit-in protest at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, starting the afternoon of the 11th. Photo by Yoon Seokyeol Immediate Resignation and Social Reform Gwangju Emergency Action
Civil society organizations are also taking strong action. 'Gwangju Emergency Action for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform,' a coalition of over 180 organizations, has decided to continue overnight rallies until an impeachment decision is made. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party in the Gwangju area have also declared a hunger strike.
Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, and Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam, each held solo protests at May 18 Democracy Square and the intersection in front of the Jeonnam Provincial Government, respectively. Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju, staged a solo protest on his way home from work the previous day. Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, Gwangju, hung a banner reading "Dismiss Yoon Suk-yeol" on the exterior wall of the district office and announced it would remain until the impeachment is accepted.
In the National Assembly, actions demanding the impeachment of President Yoon are also continuing. Min Hyungbae (Gwangsan-eul, Gwangju) is on a hunger strike in a tent near Gwanghwamun with members of the 'National Assembly Solidarity for Yoon Suk-yeol's Impeachment.' Jeon Jinsook (Buk-gu-eul, Gwangju) also shaved her head in protest the previous day.
As calls for impeachment intensify from all sectors, attention is focused on what decision the Constitutional Court will make.
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