Janice R. Andrews
Massive protests for and against President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment swept South Korea on March 15, as the nation awaits the Constitutional Court’s pivotal ruling. Tens of thousands gathered in Seoul and beyond, with rallies turning the capital into a battleground of political ideologies. Authorities deployed over 3,600 riot police to maintain order, using police buses to separate opposing groups and prevent clashes.
In downtown Seoul, anti-impeachment demonstrators, led by conservative pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and groups like Save Korea, filled Gwanghwamun and Yeouido. Protesters waved South Korean and U.S. flags, chanting slogans like “Impeachment must be rejected 8-0” and “Immediate Reinstatement of Yoon Suk-yeol.” Police estimated 60,000 attendees, while organizers claimed a staggering 3.5 million.
Meanwhile, pro-impeachment rallies, organized by Candlelight Action and opposition parties, drew an estimated 42,500 participants, with organizers claiming 1 million. Protesters marched from Anguk-dong to Gyeongbokgung Station, demanding accountability and reform.
The protests reflect deepening political divisions, with lawmakers from both sides joining the demonstrations. As tensions rise, the nation braces for the court’s decision, which could reshape South Korea’s political landscape.
