[Yoon Suk-yeol's Dismissal] "Revival of Korean Democracy"...Welcome, Tears, and Cheers

About 500 Jeonnam Residents Gather Around Peace Square in Mokpo
Mokpo Citizens' Cultural Festival Held for Yoon Sukyeol's Resignation
Crowd Shouts for Constitutional Court to Approve President Yoon's Impeachment
All Eyes on Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae's Verdict
Unanimous Impeachment Decision Met with Widespread Cheers
Some Residents Wipe Away Tears of Regret
Cheers Erupt: "Democracy Has Risen Again"

At the Mokpo Citizen Cultural Heritage event held from 10 a.m. on the 4th, officials urged the impeachment of Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Shim Jinseok

April 4, 2025, 11:22 a.m. The area around Peace Square in Mokpo, Jeonnam was filled with cheers and jubilation. This was when the words "President Yoon Sukyeol is dismissed" were broadcast from the large monitors set up around the square, spoken by Moon Hyungbae, Acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

The shouts of over 500 Jeonnam residents gathered here were cries of earnest hope for the revival of democracy. On this day, the "Mokpo Citizens' Cultural Festival" was held from 10 a.m., organized by the Mokpo Citizens' Sovereignty Action for Yoon Sukyeol's Resignation and Social Reform, a coalition of local civic groups.

Residents who gathered to witness the expected impeachment decision for President Yoon Sukyeol raised their voices in support of impeachment. Having witnessed 122 days of democratic destruction since the declaration of martial law on February 3, there was a shared consensus that forgiveness was no longer possible.

The impeachment ruling scene of President Yoon Seokyeol displayed on a monitor installed by the organizers of the Mokpo Citizen Cultural Heritage event. Photo by Shim Jinseok

Holding placards reading "Conspiracy to Rebel - Impeach Yoon Sukyeol," participants fervently hoped for a just decision from the Constitutional Court. Although the final result would be announced in about an hour, some residents expressed nervousness, worrying, "What if things go wrong?"

Around 11 a.m., the monitor set up by the event organizers showed the eight Constitutional Court justices entering the courtroom to deliver the impeachment verdict for President Yoon Sukyeol. A moment of silence swept over the crowd, and the previously bustling square became briefly calm.

As Acting Chief Justice Moon began to read the verdict, announcing, "We will now begin the ruling on 2024Hun-Na8, the impeachment case of President Yoon Sukyeol," everyone in the square focused intently.

When the words, "Even though the martial law in this case has been lifted, the grounds for impeachment have already occurred due to the martial law," were broadcast, the crowd erupted in cheers that filled the square.

Citizens attending the Mokpo City Cultural Heritage event anxiously awaiting the impeachment decision of President Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Shim Jinseok

When the court declared, regarding the key issue of whether the National Assembly had acted unlawfully, "The exercise of powers such as impeachment, legislation, and budget review by the National Assembly cannot be seen as having caused a serious crisis at the time martial law was declared," the square exploded with roars of approval.

After about 20 minutes of the verdict being read, the justices unanimously confirmed the "dismissal of President Yoon Sukyeol," and some residents wiped away tears. In unison, they declared it a victory for democracy.

Lee Hyunseung, who participated in the event, said, "I am so happy. This is the natural result," and added, "Now, all that remains is for Korea to move forward on the right path."

Byun Juseong, who came from nearby Yeongam, also stated, "Perhaps the Constitutional Court's decision came far too late. The impeachment of President Yoon was inevitable, but I don't understand why we had to suffer so much. Democracy, which was on the verge of collapse, has risen again."

Meanwhile, on this day, rallies supporting the impeachment of Yoon Sukyeol were held in 12 locations across Jeonnam, including Mokpo, Yeosu, and Muan.