[Report] "We Won"... Mixed Emotions at the Moment of Sentencing [Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment]

Pro-Impeachment Side: "Democracy Has Won"
Yoon Supporters Smash Barricades with Blunt Objects
Police on Full Alert for Possible Emergencies

"I felt that democracy is alive."

On the 4th, citizens who supported the impeachment cheered near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Jang Daesung (22), who participated in the pro-impeachment rally in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 4th, said, "I have come out to the streets every week since the martial law incident," and added, "I really cried at every word from the Constitutional Court." The moment the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol was upheld, cheers of "Wow! We won!" erupted everywhere. Scenes of citizens hugging each other and sharing joy were witnessed in many places. On the other hand, supporters of President Yoon Seok-yeol showed intense reactions, shouting that the Constitutional Court made a political judgment.

The area in front of the Constitutional Court was crowded with people from early morning. Citizens gathered with tension and anticipation ahead of the ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial. Participants in the pro-impeachment rally shouted slogans such as "Dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol," "Disband the People Power Party colluding with the rebellion," and "Immediate dismissal of the rebellion ringleader." As the Constitutional Court's decision approached, a moment of silence fell. At 11:22 a.m., when Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae of the Constitutional Court declared, "The respondent, President Yoon Seok-yeol, is dismissed," emotions were mixed.

Im Jeong-hyun (20), who lives in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, said, "I am overwhelmed with the thought that the country can move forward with hope," and added, "I have hope that we can be reborn once again as a democratic republic." Park Yeon-myeong (47) said, "From the moment the impeachment was proposed, public opinion had already turned," and "Honestly, I expected this result." Oh Chae-eun (24) said tearfully, "I am happy as if a true spring has come after a hard winter. I hope it becomes a world where fake news does not deceive people."

On the 3rd, the day of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol, anti-impeachment groups held a rally near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.4.4. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

On the other hand, some participants in the anti-impeachment rally showed behavior such as cursing and shouting. Park Jin-gyu (72) lamented, "This country is finished. It has fallen under the control of North Korea and China," and said, "It is bleak to think about how much damage we will have to endure." A man in his 60s shouted angrily, "What are you asking?" and a man in his 20s hurled abusive language at Acting Chief Justice Moon, saying, "What the hell is that guy?"

A woman in her 20s holding a Taegeukgi flag said, "It's absurd," and raised her voice, saying, "An unreasonable judgment has been made." One supporter insisted, "Let's storm the Constitutional Court. We must camp out at Gwanghwamun and the presidential residence," and another supporter broke a car window with a blunt object.

On the 4th, citizens supporting the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol gathered around Anguk-dong Intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, waiting for the verdict. Photo by Joint Press Corps

According to the police, groups such as the "Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Emergency Action for Social Reform" (Emergency Action) reported that about 100,000 people would gather near the Constitutional Court. The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, planned rallies with 27,000 people around Gwanghwamun and 6,000 people near exits 5 and 1 of Anguk Station. The scale and nature of the rallies are expected to vary depending on the impeachment trial results.

The police densely set up barricades around the Constitutional Court to control access in preparation for any situation and issued a nationwide high alert. They deployed 338 riot police units and about 20,000 officers nationwide. The area within 150 meters of the Constitutional Court was surrounded by barricades to create a vacuum state preventing protesters from entering, and the police special forces were on standby. Rooftop access doors of 22 gas stations, construction sites, and buildings around the Constitutional Court were also closed. Around Anguk Station, 190 paramedics and 32 ambulances were on standby, and Anguk Station was passed through without stopping.