[Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment] "Victory for Democracy" vs "Fraudulent Impeachment"... Pro and Con Rallies in Downtown Seoul (Comprehensive)

Emergency Action: "Now for Major Social Reform"
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The day after the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, on the 5th, rallies both supporting and opposing the impeachment continued in downtown Seoul.

On the 5th, a 'Victory Day Nationwide Citizen March' rally, hosted by the Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Social Reform, was held in front of Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

The Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Social Reform (Emergency Action) held a "Victory Day Nationwide Citizen March" rally in the area around Dongsipjagak near Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu that afternoon. Approximately 7,500 people, according to unofficial police estimates, gathered there shouting slogans such as "We won, democracy won."

They congratulated each other saying "Thank you for your hard work" and joyfully recited the impeachment ruling order, "The respondent President Yoon Seok-yeol is dismissed." About 100 flags that appeared at the rally calling for dismissal fluttered in front of the square, and participants shared celebratory rice cakes and hot dogs. Various performances continued, and participants sang along, creating a concert-like atmosphere.

The Candlelight Action held a rally near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. Approximately 500 people, according to unofficial police estimates, shouted slogans such as "Let’s build a democratic government through the total unity of patriotic forces." Choo Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "We must overwhelmingly win the presidential election through the complete end of the internal conflict and thorough reform."

On the 5th, the Gwanghwamun National Rally hosted by the Korea Restoration National Movement Headquarters is taking place on Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul. Yonhap News

Supporters of former President Yoon held a rally opposing the impeachment. The Korea Restoration National Movement Headquarters (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held the "People’s Resistance Rights Gwanghwamun National Rally" in the area from Donghwa Duty Free Shop to Daehanmun in Jongno-gu that afternoon. According to unofficial police estimates, 18,000 people participated as of 2 p.m. The organizers claimed that 1 million people gathered.

Participants wore umbrellas or raincoats and shouted slogans such as "Fraudulent impeachment is null and void" and "Disband the Constitutional Court." They held placards or attached signs to their umbrellas with phrases like "Eradicate anti-state forces" and "Invoke the people's right to resist," urging the return of former President Yoon. On stage, the eight Constitutional Court justices were criticized as "traitors."

They expressed that they could not accept an early presidential election. One participant said, "Is impeachment even reasonable?" and another stated, "There is no need for an early election in June." The emcee said, "Shouldn't we refuse the election and fight to the death until the truth about the fraudulent impeachment is revealed and President Yoon returns?"

Meanwhile, the conservative Christian group Save Korea had reported plans to hold a rally with 20,000 participants in Yeouido at 1 p.m. that day but canceled it immediately after the Constitutional Court’s dismissal ruling.