All of South Korea in the Streets to Celebrate President’s Impeachment
Yoon Suk-yeol was extremely unpopular even before the misguided attempt to impose martial law
For two days, since parliament approved a motion of impeachment against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, accused of attempting a coup, cheerful mass demonstrations are taking place across South Korea, a mixture of large celebrations and village festivities.
After the declaration of martial law, which lasted six hours and was denounced by lawmakers as “an attempt at an authoritarian turnaround,” Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rating, which was already very low due to the numerous corruption scandals that characterized his mandate, fell even further, dropping below 11 percent, according to opinion polls.
In Seoul, thousands of people crowded the center of the capital, waving lightsticks, posters, and caricatures of Yoon Suk-yeol, reciting various slogans against the ousted president and singing songs that have become anthems in defense of democratic values.
Demonstrators greet members of parliament who approved the impeachment with 204 votes in favor and 85 against on Saturday, December 14, in a second vote after voting a week ago. It was a measure that immediately suspended Yoon Suk-yeol from his duties and will require a vote of the Constitutional Court to permanently remove him.
