This weekend, tens of thousands of South Koreans braved frigid temperatures and snow to vote both for and against the impeachment of President Yun Seok-Yeol, who faces constitutional removal from office after a failed attempt to impose martial law in December. We held meetings for several days.
A crowd of left-wing demonstrators demanding the immediate removal of Mr. Yun (who is currently not in office but is legally incapacitated until the Constitutional Court affirms or rejects the National Assembly's impeachment). Just a few meters separated him from right-wing demonstrators demanding Yun's immediate removal from office. Government will be restored.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that a rally was held in support of Yoon on Saturday. I was attracted to 35,000 people gathered in an area in central Seoul and then “suddenly moved to Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, to confront the anti-Yin demonstrators.”
Yonhap News added: “Just 400 meters away, members of the Democratic Labor Union of Korea, a militant labor organization, held a rally calling for Yoon's immediate arrest.”
The Democratic Union of Trade Unions, South Korea's largest union organization with a history of organizing campaigns against Mr. Yoon, was reportedly embroiled in violence after attempting to attack Mr. Yoon's residence, and two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police. are.
Fears of violence were heightened as pro-Yun and anti-Yun demonstrators were in close proximity, but South Korean news outlets reported no major incidents of violence, and protests continued into Sunday night. .
Images of crowds at both protests showed groups of left-wing protesters calling for impeachment and holding rainbow flags. The pro-Yin crowd waved American flags and signs that read “Stop the Steal,” a nod to protests against President Joe Biden's 2020 inauguration.
protests too I was attracted to Some political officials. One of the conservatives who appeared was Congressman Yoon Sang-hyun, who reportedly described himself as a “holy warrior defending the liberal system.”
“For many conservative supporters in South Korea, the Star-Spangled Banner has long served as a powerful symbol of anti-communism and an enduring alliance with key security partners,” the newspaper said. korea herald explained On Friday, he noted that the Star-Spangled Banner had become a frequent feature of protests in support of Mr. Yun.
Furthermore, “For Mr. Yoon's conservative base, the Star-Spangled Banner does not simply represent an alliance between South Korea and the United States; it is a political weapon, a symbol of anti-communism, and an expression of shared ideological values. There is,” he added.
The newspaper said that in addition to being an ideological symbol, pro-Yin demonstrators are also calling for some form of intervention by President-elect Donald Trump's administration to save Yun's presidency. The report also reported that some conservatives cheered, “Trump Mansee!” (loosely translated, “Long Live Trump!”).
Yun attempted to impose martial law in early December in an effort to “protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces,” but it was extremely unpopular and was blocked by the National Assembly within hours. Anti-Yun protesters have taken control of Seoul's political assembly since the first attempt to declare martial law failed, but conservative groups began organizing large-scale events last week, and the left-wing Democratic Party of Yoon, the country's first acting president, has taken control of Seoul's political parliament.・As Dok-soo was impeached, he gained more support. In addition to removing Mr. Yoon from power, he pushed for his arrest. The arrest warrant issued for Yoon on charges of sedition also fueled opposition to what conservatives are increasingly rejecting as a power struggle by South Korean leftists.
On Friday, an attempt to arrest Yun failed in dramatic fashion. Officials from the CIO, a special government agency that targets powerful politicians, surrounded Yun's residence, but were unable to get past the Presidential Security Service (PSS). agent. The stalemate lasted six hours and ended with the CIO's withdrawal.
Police have since Paid As a result of acts allegedly committed immediately before and during the brief period of martial law, PSS chiefs were charged with “insurrection.”
On Sunday, the CIO officially requested South Korean police authorities reportedly arrested Yoon. police answered On Monday, it rejected the CIO's request, saying it was fraught with legal issues.
The attempt to arrest Yun does not appear to have strengthened conservative opposition to the president. In a poll released Sunday conducted by polling firm Conjon, Found Between this week and Dec. 24, support for Mr. Yun increased slightly among most South Koreans, with approval ratings dropping by 4.5% among those who identify as supporters of Mr. Yun's People Power Party (PPP). Points increased. Among all respondents, 30.4% supported Yoon, an increase of more than 12 points from the December 9 survey, just before martial law was declared.
Current interim president Choi Sang-mok issued a statement on Monday emphasizing the importance of diplomatic relations with the United States, especially after President Trump takes office, appearing to appeal to pro-American sentiments.
“Immediately after the new U.S. administration takes office, we will make full use of all available resources and engage in close communication and consultation,” Choi said. claimed.
Biden administration Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Seoul for final talks with senior officials. prioritized According to South Korean news outlets, discussions about the Ukraine war.
