Prospects are emerging that the verdict on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol could come as early as this week. In response, rallies by both the supporters and opponents of the impeachment were held across downtown Seoul on Sunday, the 16th.
◇Emergency action to declare 'Day of Democracy Protection' on the 19th
The Emergency Action, leading the rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon, held a press conference at 2 p.m. at the Gwanghwamun Saero intersection, announcing that it will begin its '2nd Emergency Concentration Action.' The Emergency Action has continued its first phase of concentrated action since the 9th, right after the release of President Yoon. They stated, "We cannot wait another day or even an hour," and added, "We need to impeach Yoon Suk-yeol immediately and talk about a new world."
The Emergency Action also announced a large rally at 4 p.m. at the Gwanghwamun intersection and plans to march back along a route that passes Sungnyemun. The Democratic Party also plans to march to join the Emergency Action rally after completing a 'National Report Conference' in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo District at 1 p.m.
The Emergency Action also plans to declare the 19th as 'Day of Democracy Protection' and prepare various activities encouraging public participation in support of impeachment. They noted, "We plan to hold weekday rallies every day at 7 p.m. until President Yoon is impeached" and added, "On the 22nd, we will also conduct a nationwide '2 million citizens' massive rally.'
◇Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon gathers 6,000 at Gwanghwamun worship
Opposition rallies against the impeachment were also held simultaneously in downtown Seoul.
Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church conducted a Sunday service at 11 a.m. in front of the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District. The Liberty Unification Party is also conducting an anti-impeachment rally at 2 p.m. in front of the Volvo Building near the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District. The conservative group Angry Blue held a rally calling for nuclear armament and opposition to impeachment in front of Bosingak in Jongno District at 1 p.m. They marched to the Hyundai building near the Constitutional Court.
An unofficial police estimate indicated that 6,000 people gathered for the worship led by Pastor Jeon. They waved the Taegeukgi and the American flag, intermittently shouting, "Impeachment invalid." Pastor Jeon stated, "President Yoon will come out within this week," and remarked, "If President Yoon had not imposed martial law, South Korea would have fallen to North Korea."