Democratic Party lawmakers are urging President Yoon Suk-yeol's swift dismissal during a press conference on the 20th, where they were hit by flying eggs. Police are tracking down suspects related to the incident.
About 10 members of the Democratic Party’s floor leadership held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court around 9 a.m. During the press conference, Representative Baek Hye-ryun was hit in the face by a flying egg coming from the opposite sidewalk. Baek raised her voice, saying, "Who threw it? We need to catch them. This should not happen in a democratic society."
Police reportedly were unable to secure the identity of the current suspect who threw the egg at the scene and are in pursuit. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency noted, "Considering the seriousness of the matter, we have formed a dedicated investigation team led by the chief of the Jongno Police Station and have begun our investigation," adding that "we plan to conduct a swift and rigorous investigation, including analyzing video footage and tracking the thrower."
At the time, there were supporters of President Yoon on the sidewalk. Some of them are said to have thrown bananas in addition to eggs. It is expected that charges of assault will be applied to the suspect who threw the eggs and bananas.
Following the egg-throwing incident, police stated, "Throwing eggs and bananas has already transitioned beyond an individual protest," and deployed riot police to forcibly disperse the demonstrators across from the Constitutional Court. They further warned, "Any actions of insulting, hitting, or pinching police officers will be immediately blocked and result in arrest as a current criminal offender."
Nevertheless, some demonstrators did not comply with the dispersal order, holding onto the police barricade while shouting, "Dismiss the impeachment!" Police cleared most of the demonstrators by around 10 a.m., except for one individual protester, but as of 10:30 a.m., some demonstrators were still trying to advance in front of the Constitutional Court, facing off with police. Additional barriers and a wall made of police buses were set up across from the main gate of the Constitutional Court.
According to the law on assemblies and demonstrations, assemblies are prohibited within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court, but press conferences and individual protests are allowed. Supporters of President Yoon have claimed to be holding individual protests while effectively holding assemblies.