[Report] Yoon Impeachment Rally "Let's Not Get Tired Already," Citizens Say as They Head to Work

Subway Station Blocked and Buses Diverted
Walking Commute from Yeouido to Gukhoeuisadang
Congestion Near Sunbogeum Church

"The subway to National Assembly Station isn't coming. Take the bus, the bus!"

On the 7th, around 2:20 PM, after getting off at Dongjak Station on Subway Line 4 and taking the escalator down to the platform to transfer to Line 9 heading to Yeouido, someone shouted this. Although it was expected that citizens participating in the rally urging the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol would gather near the National Assembly and Yeouido, the number of people was greater than anticipated. Those who detoured exited the subway station to catch bus number 361 at a nearby stop. Dongjak Station, opposite the National Cemetery and heading toward Yeouido, is usually not crowded even during the morning commute, but this day was an exception. People lined up in two rows waiting for the bus. The bus did not reach its final stop at National Assembly Station and stopped at Yeouido Station instead.

Around 3 PM on the 7th, a crowd is gathering in front of the National Assembly building. (Photo by Lee Hyun-joo)

Walking from Yeouido Station to the National Assembly, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations of those around me. Because of the large crowd, we frequently stopped, shortening our strides, and the distance was close enough to hear conversations. People said things like, "I came out because I’d just end up staring at YouTube at home anyway," "We need to impeach him today," "Yeouido isn’t a good place for protests," and "We have to endure for a long time, so let’s not get tired already."

The two major labor unions, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, led this rally, but citizens were also gathering in small groups. Walking while listening to the performances prepared by the unions and the conversations of citizens, I came across a restaurant where I had lunch a few days ago with a junior who is about to give birth, and suddenly realized that this was Yeouido in 2024, not Gwanghwamun Square in 2017.

Subway Line 9 Dongjak Station remained crowded due to a sudden influx of people. Seoul Metro is skipping stops at Yeouido National Assembly Station and Yeouido Station. (Photo by Lee Hyun-joo)

Around the same time, another reporter who was heading to the National Assembly for work also couldn’t take the usual bus. The bus driver announced, "The route has been changed due to the protest." Thinking to take a bus that would get as close to the National Assembly as possible, the reporter took another bus and got off near Yeouido Full Gospel Church. That place was already crowded with people participating in the protest. Judging by the many parked tour buses, it seemed people had come from all over the country.

After getting off at Full Gospel Church and heading toward the National Assembly, the reporter entered through the revolving door near the National Assembly Library. They thought to get to work quickly by entering there. Crossing the crosswalk toward the main gate, a foreigner presumed to be a reporter was filming the protest scene with a cellphone. They immediately turned right. Under the fence that even Speaker Woo Won-shik had crossed, many people had already taken their seats. Police officers were stationed at every fence, maintaining vigilant watch.

After scanning the ID to enter, the atmosphere inside the National Assembly was quiet, unlike outside. Checking the time, it took twice as long as usual to get to work. I earnestly hoped that no one who came to Yeouido that day would get hurt and that everyone would return home safely.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.