Rival Protests Erupt in Seoul Over Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL – Rival protests over South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol unfolded in Seoul on Dec. 21, with demonstrators divided over his controversial declaration of martial law earlier this month.

The protests, held just a few hundred meters apart in Gwanghwamun, showcased the nation’s growing divide following Yoon’s impeachment by parliament. His presidential powers are suspended, but he remains in office pending a decision from the Constitutional Court, which will determine whether he is permanently removed or reinstated.

Anti-Yoon Demonstrations Dominate Gwanghwamun

By 3 p.m., tens of thousands of anti-Yoon protesters, primarily in their 20s and 30s, gathered waving light sticks and holding signs bearing slogans such as “Arrest! Imprison! Insurrection chief Yoon Suk Yeol.” The crowd, energized by K-pop tunes, expressed outrage over Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration.

“I wanted to ask Yoon how he could do this to a democracy in the 21st century,” said 27-year-old protester Cho Sung-hyo. “If he really has a conscience, he should step down.”

Pro-Yoon Protesters Rally for His Return

Nearby, several thousand pro-Yoon protesters, primarily older and conservative citizens, voiced support for the president and opposed his impeachment.

“These rigged (parliamentary) elections eat away at this country,” said 62-year-old businessman Lee Young-su, who attended with a group of friends. “At the core are socialist communist powers, so we absolutely oppose impeachment.”

Martial Law Controversy and Investigations

Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, citing alleged election hacking and “anti-state” pro-North Korean sympathizers, was reversed within hours. The National Election Commission has denied the hacking claims.

Authorities have summoned Yoon for questioning over whether his actions constituted insurrection, but he has yet to comply. The Constitutional Court has also been unable to reach him ahead of its first preparatory hearing on Dec. 27.

No Clashes Reported

As of 4 p.m. local time, no clashes had been reported between the two groups of protesters, despite the high stakes and charged atmosphere in Gwanghwamun.

Yoon’s impeachment has left South Korea politically polarized, with his critics decrying his actions as a threat to democracy and his supporters viewing the impeachment as an unjust political maneuver.

The Constitutional Court’s decision, expected in the coming weeks, will likely determine the country’s political trajectory in the face of this historic crisis.

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