Korea on edge as tensions mount before impeachment ruling

Participants chant slogans during the launch ceremony for the "Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment Bus" near the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

With the impeachment ruling for President Yoon Suk Yeol set for Friday, tensions are rising between his opponents and supporters, raising concerns about potential clashes, including violent protests at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul.

Experts warn the situation could spiral into chaos unless political leaders show responsibility and strong leadership at this critical moment. They emphasize that urging the public to avoid conflict — rather than fueling tensions — is key to preventing unrest.

Following the Constitutional Court’s announcement Tuesday of the impeachment ruling date, online platforms have been flooded with crude insults, baseless accusations and even violent threats against judges and politicians.

This growing aggression has raised fears of a potential repeat of the violent disturbance that broke out at the Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19, when protesters rallied against Yoon’s arrest.

Overnight rallies caused heavy traffic congestion around the Constitutional Court on Wednesday morning.

Additionally, tensions flared on Tuesday evening as pro- and anti-Yoon groups staged simultaneous rallies in central Seoul. The situation escalated near Insadong Street, where protesters from both sides confronted each other, hurling insults and attempting to provoke a clash. Police intervened to prevent further violence.

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling People Power Party speaks during a gathering of the party's regional chapter heads opposing President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Experts note that the nation has remained deeply divided along factional lines since the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, a division forever imprinted in the nation's memory by the "candlelight" and "Taegukgi," or Korea's national flag, rallies. But the polarization has intensified following Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.

Lee Byoung-hoon, professor emeritus of sociology at Chung-Ang University, said that given the situation so far, concerns about another violent protest are understandable. However, he noted that the public response will likely vary depending on the court’s ruling.

"If the impeachment is upheld, there will certainly be backlash from Yoon's supporters," he said. "However, whether that backlash will escalate or continue is uncertain, as the situation is likely to quickly shift into a presidential election phase."

He added that the ruling People Power Party, which would need to immediately prepare for the election, may find it difficult to keep opposing the court’s decision.

"It is likely that only far-right groups aligned with Yoon will be likely to continue strong protests."

On the other hand, if the impeachment is dismissed or rejected, Lee anticipates a strong backlash from the candlelight camp, with some possibly likening their resistance to a pro-democracy struggle and refusing to accept Yoon and his administration as legitimate.

"It could even grow into a large-scale resistance movement, comparable in scale and intensity to past pro-democracy protests," he said.

Park Won-ho, a political science professor at Seoul National University, criticized politicians, including the president, for exacerbating the situation.

"Those who should have shown political leadership appeared to have no intention of managing the chaos following the martial law declaration," Park said.

"With protesters, who are overrepresented compared to the general public, dominating the streets, the turmoil is intensifying, and the public is growing increasingly fatigued and indifferent to the political situation," he added.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon emphasized the role of political leaders.

"Politicians should be playing a role in preventing chaos, but instead, they are out on the streets, fueling the situation even further," Lee said.

"At this point, all political leaders — the ruling and opposition parties as well as the National Assembly speaker — should stop and return to the National Assembly, issuing messages urging restraint and acceptance of the court's decision."