South Korea: Rallies for, against Yoon’s impeachment held 1 km apart

Seoul: Tensions ran high in South Korea’s capital on Saturday as tens of thousands of people gathered for rallies both in favor of and against President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment following his brief attempt to impose martial law.

Anti-Yoon protesters filled the streets near Gyeongbok Palace, with police estimating the turnout at 35,000 by 5:10 p.m., though organizers claimed the number exceeded 500,000. The crowd, dressed in heavy winter clothing, waved light sticks and chanted slogans such as "Immediately arrest Yoon Suk Yeol." Some demonstrators called for the Constitutional Court to remove him from office, while others demanded the dissolution of his ruling People Power Party (PPP). Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, was also reported to have visited the site.

Just 1 km away, near Gwanghwamun Station, a separate rally was held in support of Yoon. Signs reading "Impeachment is invalid" and "Arrest Lee Jae-myung" were displayed by the crowd. PPP lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun addressed the rally, acknowledging the failure to prevent the impeachment motion against the party president and apologizing to his supporters while bowing on his knees.

Earlier in the day, South Korean police raided a presidential safe house connected to Yoon, where he allegedly met with senior police officials to discuss his plan for martial law, which was declared on December 3. The raid aimed to secure CCTV footage and identify those who entered the building shortly before the martial law declaration. Police also attempted to raid the Presidential Security Service, located separately on the presidential office compound, but were blocked and unable to obtain the security camera footage.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has announced that it will expedite proceedings in Yoon’s impeachment trial, with the next hearing scheduled for January 3.

With IANS inputs