Massive rally near National Assembly demands South Korean president's impeachment

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in front of the National Assembly on December 7 to demand the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as lawmakers convened to vote on an impeachment motion following turmoil caused by his recent martial law declaration.

Despite the cold December evening, civic groups, labor unions, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), students, and ordinary citizens filled the streets surrounding the Assembly in western Seoul, holding signs calling for Yoon's impeachment, Caliber.Az reports citing Korean media. "Oust him" and "Protect the nation with the power of candlelight rallies" were some of the slogans displayed on placards.

The National Assembly convened a plenary session to vote on the impeachment motion, triggered by Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration earlier this week, which was swiftly overturned after the opposition-controlled parliament rejected it. "Today, here, we will mark the end of Yoon Suk Yeol," KCTU leader Yang Kyung-soo told the crowd, vowing even stronger protests.

In response to the growing protests, subway services bypassed National Assembly and Yeouido Stations, although service at Yeouido Station was restored shortly after. Police estimated that 149,000 people had attended the rally by 5:30 p.m., while organizers claimed the turnout was around 1 million. Traffic was blocked on the main road leading from Seogang Bridge to the Assembly.

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions, another major union group, condemned the president’s actions, accusing him of attempting to prevent the impeachment motion with a public apology issued before the parliamentary session.

The legal community also weighed in, with the Korean Bar Association supporting the impeachment, condemning Yoon’s martial law declaration as unconstitutional and disruptive to the nation's order.

Meanwhile, a man in his 50s was detained after attempting self-immolation near the National Assembly in protest of Yoon's martial law declaration.

In central Seoul, conservative civic groups, supportive of Yoon, held a rival rally near Gwanghwamun, urging the Assembly to reject the impeachment motion. The pro-Yoon rally, which included chants of "Protect the president" and "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," was estimated by police to have drawn 20,000 participants, though organizers claimed 1 million attended.

The National Assembly is set to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief attempt to declare martial law, which caused significant political upheaval in South Korea. A two-thirds majority is required to pass the motion, but it remains uncertain whether opposition lawmakers can secure the necessary support, as they hold 192 of the 300 parliamentary seats.

Earlier in the day, Yoon issued a nationally televised apology for causing public distress through his controversial decision, pledging that he would not attempt a similar move again. The opposition bloc, which includes the Democratic Party (DP) and five smaller parties, argues that Yoon's actions violated the Constitution and other laws.

In order to pass the motion, at least eight lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) would need to support it, but the PPP has expressed firm opposition. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon remarked that it may now be inevitable for Yoon to step down early, given that he is no longer able to effectively perform his duties.

Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae, a PPP lawmaker, had previously expressed support for Yoon’s impeachment but later appeared to backtrack following Yoon’s public apology. He suggested that a roadmap for Yoon’s early resignation should be swiftly established.

Meanwhile, the DP criticized Yoon’s apology, asserting that his immediate resignation or removal through impeachment is necessary. If the impeachment motion passes, the Constitutional Court will decide whether Yoon should be reinstated or removed from office. If upheld, Yoon would become only the second president in South Korea's history to be removed through impeachment, following the ousting of President Park Geun-hye in 2017.

In addition to the impeachment vote, the National Assembly will vote on a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations of corruption and election interference involving Yoon’s wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee. This bill, vetoed by Yoon for the third time, requires a two-thirds majority to override the veto. The DP also plans to introduce an impeachment motion for Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, one of Yoon's closest aides, accusing him of playing a central role in the botched martial law attempt.

By law, an impeachment motion must be put to a vote between 24 and 72 hours after being reported to the plenary session.

By Vafa Guliyeva