President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment motion was passed at the National Assembly's plenary session on the 14th. As the news spread, the protesters demanding impeachment in front of the National Assembly shouted, "It happened" and "Hooray." At the Gwanghwamun rally opposing the impeachment, cries of "invalid" erupted.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik declared the impeachment motion passed at around 5 p.m. All 300 members of the assembly participated in the vote, with 204 in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes.
When President Yoon's impeachment motion was passed, the protesters gathered in front of the Yeouido National Assembly cheered and celebrated. Some citizens released orange balloons inscribed with 'Yoon Suk-yeol's Impeachment' into the sky and cheered. The rally in front of the Yeouido National Assembly was attended by an estimated 2 million people according to organizers (unofficial police estimate of 200,000).
Kim Da-seul (18), who traveled from Daegu, noted, "When I saw martial law being declared, I thought there was no hope for our country," adding, "I kept attending rallies after the college entrance exam, hoping for this situation to end. I'm thrilled that it passed." A participant identified as Park (33) said, "There's no need to elaborate as it was an inevitable outcome," noting "I was sure it would pass today."
The rally urging President Yoon's impeachment resembled a K-pop festival venue. As soon as the news of the passage broke, the group 'Emergency Action for Yoon Suk Yeol's Immediate Resignation and Social Reform' (hereafter Emergency Action), which organized the rally, played Girls' Generation's 'Into the New World,' and the protesters sang along. The second song played was Big Bang's 'Crooked.' Participants jumped to the beat as if attending a K-pop concert, waving rally cheer sticks in sync. They then chanted along with the host, "The people have won," "Arrest Yoon Suk-yeol, the insurrection leader," and "Destroy Yoon Suk-yeol, the insurrection leader."
Kim Min-ji (20), a fan of the idol groups RIIZE and Blackpink from Gwangmyeong, said, "I felt I had to see the impeachment in person, so I came," adding, "I expected it to pass. I'll enjoy the joy and head home." Gi Gyuri (18), a fan of BOYNEXTDOOR, said, "Our fan club mentioned that the nation is in this state and suggested we gather and participate in the rally, so we came out as a fan club," adding, "Even if I can't go to a concert, I came for the country's sake." Participants wrote or affixed stickers with the word 'Impeachment' on their cheer sticks.
Emergency Action, which organized the rally, issued a statement upon the passage of the impeachment motion, proclaiming it a "victory for all citizens, the sovereigns," and stating, "Yoon Suk-yeol should be immediately arrested and detained." They continued, "Given the apparent treason, the Constitutional Court should also swiftly decide on removal. It is necessary to promptly appoint Constitutional Court justices who are currently vacant."
After the news of President Yoon's impeachment passage broke, loud cries of "invalid" erupted around Gwanghwamun. The People's Revolutionary Party and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon-led 'National Movement to Set Korea Straight,' held a rally against President Yoon's impeachment in Gwanghwamun that afternoon, drawing an unofficial police estimate of 40,000 attendees. Pastor Jeon promptly noted, "Twelve members of the People Power Party betrayed us. They should dissolve."
The screen at the Gwanghwamun rally displayed the names of People Power Party members Cho Kyung-tae, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, Jin Jong-oh, Kim Jae-sub, Kim Sang-wook, and Han Ji-ah, who had openly expressed support for the impeachment motion prior to the vote. The host stated, "We have opponents to fight," adding, "Let's remove them all."
One rally participant even hurled insults at People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. However, the atmosphere was generally subdued and somber. Yang, a participant from Daejeon (57), said, "It's disappointing that it passed, but I believe truth will always prevail," adding, "Ultimately, we will win."