On the occasion of the March 1st movement, a large-scale pro and anti-impeachment rally is taking place in downtown Seoul. As of 2 p.m., an unofficial police estimate indicates that 45,000 people have gathered at Gwanghwamun and 28,000 at Yeouido.
Supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who announced a "total assembly," arrived by tour bus around noon prior to the rally and staked their places around Gwanghwamun and Yeouido. The Korea Restoration Movement Headquarters, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, and the conservative Christian group Save Korea each began their rallies at 1 p.m. on Sejong-daero and Yeouido-daero, respectively.
As of 2 p.m., they are occupying approximately 800 meters of road from Daehanmun to the front of the Kyobo Building near Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station, blocking all lanes except one lane of Sejong-daero. Participants holding the national flag and American flag, along with flags bearing the names of regions like Hongcheon, Sejong, and Daejeon, moved collectively.
Dozens of tour buses have gathered in the vicinity of Jonggak Station, close to Gwanghwamun. Participants disembarking from buses are predominantly middle-aged to older adults. The crowd extends from Donghwa Duty Free Shop to Deoksugung and in front of Daehanmun.
In the Yeouido area, signs reading "Pro-impeachment, Pro-martial law support" and "Dissolve the Democratic Party of Korea" were visible. Hymns were sung prior to the rally, and when the host led a group prayer, participants responded with "Amen."
In contrast, the rally calling for impeachment is being held around Anguk Station in Gwanghwamun. The Candlelight Action will begin at 2 p.m. at the crossroads in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, while five opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, plan to hold a "National Assembly to Demand Yoon Suk-yeol's Removal" starting at 3:30 p.m. at the same location.
At 5 p.m., the Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform will host a mass citizen march in the Sajik-ro area. The Emergency Action reported that they expect 100,000 participants, while the Democratic Party of Korea and others estimate 10,000, and the Candlelight Action 3,000.
With hundreds of thousands expected to gather in downtown Seoul, police have mobilized 6,400 personnel from 97 national riot police units to respond comprehensively. Additionally, 230 police buses have been deployed, and 270 traffic police are stationed around the rally and march areas to manage vehicle flow.
In the Gwanghwamun area, 5,000 personnel from 76 units will be deployed. To separate pro and anti-impeachment supporters, 160 police buses are being used to form multiple barricades. In Yeouido, 1,400 personnel from 21 units and 70 police buses have been mobilized.
Traffic control is also in effect. Sejong-daero (from Sejong-daero intersection to Gwanghwamun) is fully blocked in both directions, and Yeouido-daero (from the southern end of Mapo Bridge to the southern end of Seoul Bridge) is also restricted, operating as variable lanes.