When the Constitutional Court dismissed President Yoon Suk Yeol on the 4th, the reactions of the protestors watching the scene live in front of the Constitutional Court and the presidential residence in Hannam-dong were polarized. The protestors in favor of the impeachment of President Yoon cheered in joy, while those against it expressed their anger, claiming, "The people must exercise their right to resist."
The Constitutional Court, at 11:22 a.m. on the same day, unanimously accepted the impeachment motion against President Yoon. This came 122 days after President Yoon declared a state of emergency on December 3 and 111 days after the impeachment motion was received on December 14 of last year.
The Constitutional Court began the impeachment trial ruling at 11 a.m. About 5,000 protestors urging the impeachment of President Yoon occupied all lanes on both sides of Yulgok-ro near Exit 6 of Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 and watched the ruling live. Approximately 300 people against the impeachment gathered at Exit 5 of Anguk Station. In front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong on Hannam-daero, around 1,000 people participated in the pro-impeachment rally, while about 8,000 gathered for the anti-impeachment rally.
After Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae hinted at the acceptance of the impeachment motion regarding various issues, the protestors opposing the impeachment sighed, and curses were heard. A man participating in the rally organized by the Korean People's Movement for a Better Republic, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang First Church, said, "Damn it! The Constitutional Court must be judged too." As expectations grew for the decision to accept the impeachment motion, the expressions of the rally participants hardened.
On the other hand, participants in the rally for the immediate resignation of President Yoon and social reform near Exit 6 of Anguk Station cheered, "Wow," as the acceptance of the impeachment motion was anticipated, even hugging each other with tears in their eyes.
As Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae read the order, "We dismiss President Yoon Suk Yeol, the respondent," the atmosphere among the protestors in front of the Constitutional Court and the presidential residence in Hannam-dong became sharply divided.
Protestors urging impeachment near Exit 6 of Anguk Station rose from sitting on the asphalt road, shaking their fists while hugging each other and danced to the music. They shouted, "We won! The sovereign won! Democracy won!" In the middle of the road, traditional performances were held, and people danced lively to the sound of gongs and drums. Some chanted, "Lee Jae-myung for president!"
In contrast, one person among the anti-impeachment protestors near Exit 4 of Anguk Station said, "I'm going crazy," and walked away. A middle-aged woman loudly cried out, collapsing and weeping in the direction of the Constitutional Court. "Moon Hyung-bae, you bastard! Is this how the country is? Does an 8 to 0 decision make sense?" she expressed her anger. The police ensured the protestors could not cross the barricades.
Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, who held the anti-impeachment rally in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, stated that despite President Yoon's approval rating rising to the mid-50s after his dismissal, the Constitutional Court ignored the will of the people and committed criminal acts, asserting, "The people's right to resist is above the Constitution." However, he urged them not to engage in illegal activities, saying, "Do not fight against leftists or the police."
Conservative YouTuber Shin Hye-sik noted, "Until yesterday, the presidential office and the People Power Party were preparing for a 4 to 4 rejection of the impeachment, and President Yoon was trying to return to the presidential office," adding, "Now, let’s solve this crisis around the People’s Resistance Committee."
Kim Eun-seo, 25, who was enjoying traditional performances near Exit 6 of Anguk Station, expressed, "It was truly despairing to see the democratic system my parents' generation built collapse over the past four months," adding, "This ruling from the Constitutional Court shows that the system is working properly, and I see hope. I feel a responsibility to help create our system for our generation."
Kim Seung-jin, 52, a participant in the anti-impeachment rally in Hannam-dong, stated, "The ruling of the Constitutional Court is, in a word, absurd. I thought it would be rejected 7 to 1," adding, "The president can declare an emergency if he feels it is necessary. I will, of course, participate in the movement for the people’s right to resist."