President Yoon Suk-yeol was released from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 8th and returned to the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul. This comes 52 days after being arrested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of being the leader of a rebellion on Jan. 15. Supporters waiting for President Yoon in Hannam-dong shouted, "Long live" and "I feel good." In contrast, the opposition held a large rally in front of the Constitutional Court, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon.
Around 5:48 p.m. that day, President Yoon walked out of the Seoul Detention Center in a suit without a tie, waved his hand or made a fist to the supporters as he walked for about two minutes in front of the main gate, and bowed to greet them. He then arrived in front of the Hannam-dong residence around 6:15 p.m. in a Cadillac vehicle of the Presidential Security Service. After briefly getting out of the car, he shook hands with some supporters, waved, made a fist, and bowed again. He then reboarded the vehicle and moved to the residence.
As President Yoon arrived in Hannam-dong, supporters waved the national flag and the U.S. flag, chanting, "President Yoon Suk-yeol." The rally host urged President Yoon, saying, "Please do not leave us again," and supporters shouted, "Impeach him." A man exclaimed, "This is a normal country. He should have been released sooner." Young women in their 20s, sporting tattoo stickers reading 'Arrest Lee Jae-myung,' 'Long live the Republic of Korea,' and 'Impeachment invalid' waved the national flag and smiled broadly.
Supporters of President Yoon occupied four lanes on the right side of Hannam Road in front of the residence to hold a rally. Some supporters rushed to Hannam-dong as soon as they heard the news of President Yoon's release, echoing chants of "President Yoon Suk-yeol" from the Gangnamjin Station on Seoul Subway Line 6. According to police, about 3,000 people participated in the rally around 6:40 p.m.
Ms. Jo Ye-ji, 30, said, "I heard that (President Yoon) was released from the detention center and rushed here with my family," adding, "Since he has suffered until now, just being able to hear the voices of (supporters) directly from the residence will be a great source of strength for him." Mr. Lee Sang-min, 25, said, "I was at the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong when I heard that (President Yoon) had left the detention center, so I rushed here right away," adding, "I still don't feel completely happy because I believe the outcome of impeachment is a different issue."
Several elementary school students were seen at the rally that day. When a 7-year-old child who took the stage said, "As long as Lee Jae-myung (leader of the Democratic Party) is not here," people laughed and remarked, "The child is better than us." An elementary student passionately sang military songs, "Torch of Purging the Enemy" and "Loyalty Song."
On that day, rallies opposing the impeachment of President Yoon were held in Gwanghwamun and Yeouido, Seoul. The Korea Solidarity Movement (Daegukbon) led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church reported that 40,000 attended the rally in Gwanghwamun, according to unofficial police estimates. The rally organized by the Christian group Save Korea in Yeouido saw 15,000 participants.
Additionally, about 500 supporters of President Yoon filled the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, waving the national flag and the U.S. flag while calling for his swift release. One supporter raised his voice, calling out, "Coup" and "Insurrection," in response to reports that Park Se-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, was opposing the release directive from the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office.
The rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon began at 2 p.m. in downtown. The five opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, and Candlelight Action held their rally near the Constitutional Court in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, while the Yoon Seok-yeol Immediate Resignation and Social Reform Emergency Action organized a rally near Dongshijag Intersection in Jongno-gu. Unofficial police estimates indicated that 13,000 and 18,000 people participated, respectively.
Rally participants held signs that read "End of the Rebellion, Protect Democracy" and "Condemn the Far-right People Power Party" while chanting slogans like "Impeach the rebel Yoon Suk-yeol immediately" and "Let's thoroughly punish the rebels." Singer Lee Eun-mi also took the stage to perform at the opposition rally. They claimed, upon hearing the news of President Yoon's release, "We condemn the prosecution that trampled on public sentiment."
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said, "The opposition leaders here will join hands with the great people and complete the revolution of light," adding, "We will not let go of the people's hands and will fight to the end until the rebellion is stopped."