Tens of thousands of people are set to gather in central Seoul on Saturday for large-scale demonstrations supporting and opposing President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, police said Friday. The nation remains deeply divided following Yoon’s unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law on December 3, and the recent conclusion of hearings in his impeachment trial has further intensified political tensions.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has announced that demonstrations will take place in Jongno, Yeouido, and Gwanghwamun, prompting officials to enforce crowd control and traffic measures. As protesters gather, sections of roads in central and western Seoul will be temporarily closed. Meanwhile, Yoon, who remains suspended from office and in detention, awaits the Constitutional Court’s decision on his impeachment.
Political divisions deepened as the Constitutional Court began deliberations on whether to remove or reinstate President Yoon Suk Yeol following the completion of impeachment hearings earlier this week. The trial, which lasted 73 days after the National Assembly’s impeachment vote, centers on allegations that Yoon violated constitutional procedures by imposing martial law without a national emergency or proper Cabinet approval. A final verdict is expected by mid-March.
Protests for and against Yoon’s impeachment are set to take place across Seoul, with authorities bracing for possible disruptions. Seoul police have advised residents to use public transportation, as protests in Jongno-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu are expected to cause significant traffic congestion. Around 270 officers will be deployed to control the crowd and prevent potential clashes between opposing groups. Another conservative Christian organization, Save Korea, will hold a separate prayer gathering near Mapo Bridge, adding to the simultaneous demonstrations.
Tensions have already flared in previous rallies, with both pro- and anti-impeachment demonstrators exchanging heated remarks. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, a vocal opponent of impeachment, addressed supporters at Sungkyunkwan University, defending Yoon’s actions as necessary to prevent election fraud. His remarks angered pro-impeachment protesters, who accused Yoon of constitutional violations and demanded accountability.
Security concerns have grown as rallies become more confrontational. Police have been stationed between opposing groups to prevent physical altercations, with some participants reportedly attempting to cross into rival demonstrations. Authorities remain on high alert as both sides intensify their calls for or against Yoon’s removal.
Yoon has defended his imposition of martial law as a necessary measure to caution the opposition against repeated impeachment attempts and efforts to curtail government funding.Saturday’s demonstrations coincide with the 106th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, a historic uprising against Japanese colonial rule in 1919.
