IN PHOTOS: Thousands protest in Seoul over Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment

Updated On: 15 March, 2025 02:12 PM IST | Anisha Shrivastava

Thousands of supporters of South Korea`s suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near Gwanghwamun in Seoul as the Constitutional Court prepared to announce its decision on whether to uphold his impeachment over the declaration of martial law. Security was tightened around the Constitutional Court, where demonstrators gathered to hear the final ruling on Yoon`s impeachment following his short-lived martial law order. (Pics/PTI) 

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<div>Protests have intensified since Yoon’s impeachment in December, with his supporters growing increasingly aggressive after his arrest in mid-January and subsequent indictment on insurrection charges. Outside a detention centre on the outskirts of Seoul, Yoon’s supporters gathered in prayer circles, holding South Korean and American flags and banners with the phrase "stop the steal" in English.</div>

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Protests have intensified since Yoon’s impeachment in December, with his supporters growing increasingly aggressive after his arrest in mid-January and subsequent indictment on insurrection charges. Outside a detention centre on the outskirts of Seoul, Yoon’s supporters gathered in prayer circles, holding South Korean and American flags and banners with the phrase "stop the steal" in English.

<div>Supporters claimed that shadowy forces had corrupted South Korea’s institutions and rigged the parliamentary elections in 2020 and 2024, echoing rhetoric seen in other political protests globally. The pro-Yoon movement includes strong evangelical Christian elements, with influential pastors such as Jeon Kwang-hoon stating that the right to resist "supersedes the constitution."</div>

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Supporters claimed that shadowy forces had corrupted South Korea’s institutions and rigged the parliamentary elections in 2020 and 2024, echoing rhetoric seen in other political protests globally. The pro-Yoon movement includes strong evangelical Christian elements, with influential pastors such as Jeon Kwang-hoon stating that the right to resist "supersedes the constitution."

<p>Yoon’s supporters claimed that his declaration of martial law was constitutionally justified, arguing that it was necessary to expose alleged election fraud. A recent Gallup Korea survey showed Yoon`s party`s support at 38 percent, nearly matching the opposition Democratic Party’s 40 percent, while a separate Realmeter poll showed that 46 percent supported conservative rule versus 49 percent favouring a change in power.</p>

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Yoon’s supporters claimed that his declaration of martial law was constitutionally justified, arguing that it was necessary to expose alleged election fraud. A recent Gallup Korea survey showed Yoon`s party`s support at 38 percent, nearly matching the opposition Democratic Party’s 40 percent, while a separate Realmeter poll showed that 46 percent supported conservative rule versus 49 percent favouring a change in power.

<div>Despite these poll numbers, other surveys indicated that a majority of South Koreans supported Yoon`s impeachment. Pro-Yoon protesters argued that South Korea’s democratic institutions had been infiltrated by North Korea, China, and their alleged sympathisers, framing their actions as a fight against communist influence. The protests reflect deep political and ideological divisions in South Korea, with Yoon’s supporters presenting the impeachment battle as part of a larger struggle to preserve national sovereignty and democratic integrity.</div>

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Despite these poll numbers, other surveys indicated that a majority of South Koreans supported Yoon`s impeachment. Pro-Yoon protesters argued that South Korea’s democratic institutions had been infiltrated by North Korea, China, and their alleged sympathisers, framing their actions as a fight against communist influence. The protests reflect deep political and ideological divisions in South Korea, with Yoon’s supporters presenting the impeachment battle as part of a larger struggle to preserve national sovereignty and democratic integrity.

<p>The Constitutional Court’s ruling is expected to have significant political ramifications, influencing the future of South Korea’s political landscape and its relations with neighbouring countries.</p>

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The Constitutional Court’s ruling is expected to have significant political ramifications, influencing the future of South Korea’s political landscape and its relations with neighbouring countries.

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IN PHOTOS: Thousands protest in Seoul over Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment

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