[Yoon Suk-yeol Dismissal] Those Who Hoped for a 'Unanimous Acceptance' Declare "We Won at Changwon Square"

The impeachment proceedings that began after the declaration of martial law on December 3 last year have come to an end with the dismissal of the president after 123 days.

On the morning of the 4th, the day of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Sukyeol, around 300 citizens gathered in front of Changwon City Hall in Gyeongnam. Even before the live broadcast of the court's verdict began, they chanted, "Unanimous dismissal, 8 to 0."

Young people are waiting for the verdict while watching the live broadcast of President Yoon Seokyeol's impeachment trial at Changwon City Hall Plaza in Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Seryoung

At the scene were people of various ages, including office workers who took annual leave and students who skipped school to attend.

About 300 police officers were also stationed nearby to prepare for any possible safety incidents.

As the verdict began at around 11 a.m., the crowd held hands and watched the live broadcast, anxiously awaiting the result.

As the impeachment ruling against President Yoon Seokyeol was announced, citizens who had been urging for the impeachment at Changwon City Hall Plaza stood up and cheered. Photo by Lee Seryung

Each time Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae recited a sentence such as "The respondent's declaration of martial law is unconstitutional," the crowd responded with cheers like "That's right," "Exactly," and "Yes," clapping their hands in agreement.

Finally, when the unanimous opinion of the eight Constitutional Court justices was announced?"At 11:22 a.m., President Yoon Sukyeol is dismissed"?everyone stood up from their seats at once.

Citizens who had been urging the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol are shedding tears as they watch the live broadcast of the Constitutional Court's ruling. Photo by Lee Seryoung

People hugged each other, gave high-fives, cheered, and some even shed tears.

They threw the "Dismiss Yoon Sukyeol" paper signs they had been holding throughout the rally and shouted, "We have won," and "We have defended democracy."

As the ruling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol was announced, citizens who had been urging for the impeachment at Changwon City Hall Plaza are raising their hands in celebration. Photo by Lee Seryoung

Immediately after the rally, the Gyeongnam Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation and Social Reform held a press conference at the scene, stating, "It is the victory of the citizens who endured and resisted for 123 days, which felt as long as a hundred years."

Lee Byungha, the standing representative of Gyeongnam Emergency Action, added, "You have protected the Constitution and democracy and saved the country and its people," and continued, "We have witnessed that we are a great people, and this has become an opportunity for us to move forward with even more strength into the future."

Yoon Seokyeol Immediate Resignation Social Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action is holding a press conference immediately after the ruling to accept the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Lee Seryoung

Gyeongnam Emergency Action plans to hold a Citizens' Victory Rally for the Dismissal of President Yoon Sukyeol at this location at around 6:30 p.m. today.