Deaths, injuries in protest after impeachment decision riles Park supporters

Emergency medical crews treat a pro-Park protester who collapsed after having breathing problems on a street in front of Anguk Station, near the Constitutional Court, Friday. / Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

Two people died and five were hurt on Friday during a demonstration protesting the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach former Korean President Park Geun-hye. The incidents happened near the court in central Seoul.

The court's eight judges announced their unanimous decision before noon.

A man surnamed Kim, 60, was found unconscious near Anguk subway station, near the court, about 12:15 p.m., according to the National Police Agency. He was taken to a hospital but died.

A man in his 70s, surnamed Kim, was found with a head injury near the station. He was bleeding heavily and taken to a hospital but also died.

Five protesters were injured, according to Newsis. A man in his 50s was injured after falling off the roof of a police bus near the station about 1:50 p.m. Reports said he stabbed himself in the abdomen, saying "I will save the President risking my own life."

One of the largest grassroots committees supporting Park, Tankigook, said at 3 p.m. Friday: "Eight were hurt while attempting to break through police buses guarding the court" and "two were dead, one near death, and the rest are in serious conditions and their lives cannot be assured."

Park supporters clashed with police after the court's decision, trying to tie ropes around police buses or hurling stones at officers. Police tried to calm them with pepper spray and by cutting the ropes.

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