Steps Gather in Front of TVs at Songjeong Station and Bus Terminal
On the 4th, ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol, citizens in Gwangju were unusually focused on the screens. Whether waiting for a train or a bus, everyone fixed their eyes on the same news broadcast.
That morning, in the waiting hall on the second floor of Gwangju Songjeong Station, citizens gradually gathered in front of the public TV as the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon's impeachment approached. People who had been checking the train schedule stopped in front of the news screen, quietly following the subtitles at the bottom of the broadcast.
On the morning of the 4th, ahead of the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial ruling, citizens are watching TV news in the waiting room of Gwangju Songjeong Station. Photo by Song Bohyun
The waiting hall was as busy as usual with people coming and going, but a stillness hung in the air in front of the TV. Some stood holding their tickets, others sat on benches watching the screen?each in their own way, waiting for the court's decision.
Jeong, a man in his 60s, said, "I'm in a hurry, but today I want to watch until the end," adding, "Whether the president steps down or not, I felt I had to witness it myself." Kim, a university student, said, "Seeing the impeachment ruling scene, which I had only watched on the news, broadcast live in front of me made it feel real," adding, "I decided I had to watch before getting on my train."
A similar atmosphere was found at the same time in the waiting hall of the Gwangju General Bus Terminal in Seo-gu, Gwangju. About an hour before the Constitutional Court's ruling, citizens were watching the news not only on the TV installed in the waiting area but also via live broadcasts on their mobile phones. The expressions of those waiting for buses were tense, and the area in front of the screen grew increasingly quiet.
On the 4th, citizens are watching news related to impeachment in front of the TV in the waiting room of Gwangcheon Terminal in Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki
Groups watching TV together exchanged comments like, "The impeachment will definitely go through," "The country is too noisy because of the president," and "What if it doesn't happen? I'm anxious." As the time for the ruling approached, more passengers gathered in front of the TV in the waiting room.
A man in his 50s, identified as A, who was heading to his hometown Daegu, said, "The court took too long to make a decision. Every news outlet has been talking about impeachment all day, so honestly, I'm exhausted," adding, "I hope a conclusion is reached now, and that the people accept the result and move toward unity."
Meanwhile, starting at 11 a.m. that day, the Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol in the main courtroom. If the court decides to remove him from office, President Yoon will immediately lose his position and become a former president; if the impeachment is dismissed, he will immediately return to his presidential duties. This ruling comes 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion last December and 38 days after the final hearing.
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