Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wave American and South Korean flags during a rally in a street in Seoul on April 5, 2025. (Credit: Pedro Pardo/AFP.)
Thousands of people took to the streets of Seoul on Saturday to protest against the ousting of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office for his failed attempt to impose martial law in early December.
The eight judges of the Constitutional Court unanimously decided to pronounce his deposition on Friday after a long process, triggering a presidential election to be held within 60 days. The verdict had sparked celebrations in front of the court's headquarters.
On Saturday, wearing raincoats to protect themselves from the rain, thousands of supporters of the former president instead gathered in central Seoul to protest the decision, chanting: “Invalid ousting!” “Cancel the early election!” “The Constitutional Court's decision has destroyed our country's free democracy,” 26-year-old protester Yang Joo-young told AFP.
Yoon had stunned South Korea on the night of December 3 to 4 by unexpectedly declaring martial law and sending the military to take control of the opposition-dominated Parliament. However, a sufficient number of lawmakers managed to convene to quickly thwart his plans. The former conservative leader justified his actions by citing threats of “North Korean communist forces” and his desire to “eliminate elements hostile to the state,” also claiming, without evidence, that previous elections had been rigged.
Many of his supporters have repeated these talking points every weekend since the political crisis began in December.
The leader of the opposition, Lee Jae-myung, a frontrunner in the anticipated presidential election, is more in favor of a conciliatory policy with North Korea.
In the pro-Yoon camp, many accuse him of conspiring with the communist regime in Pyongyang and argue that the declaration of martial law was necessary.
The Constitutional Court, however, ruled that this coup represented “a grave threat to the stability of the democratic republic.” Yoon is also facing criminal charges for insurrection, a crime punishable by death.
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