Amid a highly charged political atmosphere, thousands of South Koreans took to the streets on Saturday to express both support and opposition for President Yoon Seok Yeol, whose political future hangs in the balance pending an imminent impeachment verdict. The rallies occurred as the Constitutional Court of Korea is poised to deliver its decision next week, as reported by local media.
The public display in central Seoul was described as a bifurcated demonstration: pro-Yoon supporters were noted both for their presence and their choice of flags, displaying a mix of South Korean and American symbols in a call for Yoon’s exoneration, while nearby, anti-Yoon protestors gathered to demand his resignation and the impeachment become enforced.
This judicial decision comes during a period of significant social and political tension following Yoon’s controversial decision to declare martial law last December. That move was swiftly revoked by a parliamentary session that saw opposition figures like Lee Jae-Myung live-streaming their dramatic efforts to overturn the law.
The rapid sequence of these events expedited a motion for Yoon’s impeachment, which the parliament approved, placing the matter in the hands of the Constitutional Court. According to Article 65 of the South Korean Constitution, the court must finalize their ruling within 180 days. The review began on December 16th, and as of now, 91 days have elapsed. Historical precedence from prior impeachment cases, such as those of Roh Moo-Hyun and Park Geun-Hye, has shown that decisions generally occur in a similar timeframe.
The impeachment proceedings were notably delayed due to initial judicial vacancies within the Constitutional Court. At the time of the motion, only six of the necessary seven justices were in place to hear the impeachment case, leading to controversy and logistical issues. These vacancies have since been addressed, bringing the bench to eight justices who will determine the outcome of President Yoon’s future in office.