Citizens outraged by martial law, support repeal motion, demand Yoon's impeachment

Citizens hold a rally in front of the National Assembly, demanding the repeal of the martial law, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday night, expressing their anger over President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.

Their outrage turned to cheers in the early hours of Wednesday when the Assembly passed a resolution to repeal the measure. However, the crowd also called for Yoon's impeachment.

At 1:07 a.m., news of the repeal vote spread among the demonstrators in Yeongdeungpo District, where the National Assembly is located, sparking applause and chants of "Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol."

The atmosphere remained charged, as citizens voiced their discontent over the deployment of soldiers to the National Assembly.

The crowd shouted, "What kind of situation is this?" and "Who will take responsibility for this?"

One protester, Mr. Jeong, 46, from Paju, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I came here to show the withdrawing soldiers the strength of the people. That’s why I’m staying here in front of the National Assembly."

Citizens opposing martial law gather at the National Assembly, creating a chaotic scene as police attempt to control the situation, Wednesday. Yonhap

Gwangju citizens rally against Yoon

In Gwangju, a city in the southwestern part of the country known for its pro-democracy movement in 1980 during the period of military dictatorship, activist groups swiftly organized protests against Yoon, portraying his actions as a direct assault on democracy.

A coalition of nine organizations, united under the banner of the "Committee for the Expulsion of Yoon Suk Yeol," issued a statement following the repeal resolution, declaring, "He is no longer the president of South Korea. We urge the military and police not to obey the unjust orders of dictator Yoon Suk Yeol."

The committee called on the citizens of Gwangju to take action, urging, "Let us defend the democratic republic of Korea, built and protected through bloodshed."

It announced a mass rally scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the May 18 Democracy Plaza, a historic symbol of the city's pro-democracy movement. The committee appealed for citywide participation, asking residents to "lay down their work and join the fight against Yoon's destruction of democracy."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.