Gwangju Community Demands Immediate Dismissal of Yoon... Vows to Defend Democracy

Public Officials, Women's Groups, and Religious Leaders Hold Relay Press Conferences
Organizations: "We Will Defend Constitutional Order on Behalf of the People"
Women's Groups: "Anti-Human Rights Actions Have Continued Under Yoon's Administration"

The Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union and the Gwangju Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union held a press conference on the 13th at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Public officials, women's organizations, and religious groups in Gwangju held a series of relay press conferences, calling for the immediate dismissal of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the restoration of democracy.

The Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union and the Gwangju Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union held a press conference at the May 18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju on the 13th. They stated, "We have confirmed the reality that remnants of rebellion forces are secretly working throughout the Republic of Korea to regain their power, as seen in the judiciary and prosecution's release of President Yoon." They added, "The judiciary ignored the people's demand to strictly punish President Yoon, and the prosecution did not even appeal immediately, as if they had been waiting for this moment."

The organizations said, "Even though the detention was canceled, President Yoon is still a criminal who incited rebellion," and "The Constitutional Court also denied any direct relation to the impeachment trial, saying, 'The cancellation of detention is unlikely to have a significant impact on the impeachment judgment.'"

They continued, "We will join the full-scale struggle to eradicate the rebellion forces," and added, "We will not shy away from any sacrifice or oppression, and we will stand with the people to defend democracy and the constitutional order against the rebellion forces."

On the 13th, 82 women's organizations nationwide held a press conference at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Yoon Seokyoul Immediate Resignation · Social Reform Gwangju Emergency Action

Subsequently, 82 women's organizations nationwide also held a press conference, stating, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has consistently removed women and gender equality from national policy, causing a regression in gender equality," and "Since taking office, they have continued anti-human rights actions such as attempting to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and cutting budgets for support of sexual violence victims."

The organizations said, "We can no longer tolerate President Yoon and the rebellion forces who exclude women and minorities and encourage discrimination," and "The only way to protect democracy is for the Constitutional Court to immediately dismiss him."

Religious Leaders from Jeonnam and Gwangju Urging the Dismissal of Yoon Seokyeol Held a Press Conference on the 13th at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seokyeol and Great Social Reform Gwangju Emergency Action

Religious leaders from Jeonnam and Gwangju also held a press conference urging the dismissal of Yoon Suk-yeol, stating, "Countless citizens are spending anxious, sleepless nights filled with worry and concern," and "An unprecedented crisis is sweeping in, threatening the lives of ordinary people with social conflict and a deteriorating economy."

They said, "The Constitutional Court's impeachment decision will be the starting point for ending division and chaos in the Republic of Korea and for overcoming the crisis," and "The prosecution must conduct a thorough investigation to clearly identify those responsible for the rebellion."