[Report] "The Day the President Is Impeached"... A Rally Packed to the Brim

Tensions Rise Ahead of Impeachment Re-vote
Unusual Flags and Cheer Stick Coalition Appear
Collaborating Journalists Issue Political Statement

"It seems that President Yoon Suk-yeol will be impeached today."

Participants are shouting slogans at a rally urging impeachment held on the 14th in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, where the second impeachment vote against President Yoon Seok-yeol is scheduled. Photo by Heo Young-han

On the 14th, at the rally calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Park Sang-hyun (20) said, "The people in front of the National Assembly are united in one heart and mind, looking toward the same goal. It's nice to feel a sense of community after a long time," adding, "Watching the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident,' I realized that authoritarianism has not completely disappeared. I thought this is really unacceptable."

Jung Hyun-woo (24) said, "After the announcement of this martial law, every time people gathered, we talked about it. I could feel that this is everyone's issue," and added, "I hope a world comes where people can assert their rights without hesitation."

Ahead of the re-vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, an unofficial police estimate counted 200,000 people gathered at the Yeouido rally. Voices calling for the president's resignation echoed throughout the area. Jung Eun-ji (34) said, "I had never been to a rally before, and at first, I was a bit scared. Honestly, coming out and seeing everyone, they are so orderly and good," emphasizing, "The impeachment must happen today. We will keep coming out to the streets until it does."

Fans of the idol group NCT are holding light sticks. Photo by Seongah Shim

Many people at the scene were holding idol light sticks. Kim Ga-hyun (20), who brought an 'idol group NCT' light stick, said, "I came out to impeach the president," adding, "Our light stick symbolizes an 'unextinguishable light.' It is the brightest among other idol light sticks, so it is very useful right now." Song Min-young (22) said, "I think democracy means people living their daily lives freely," and added, "Society is very chaotic right now. I want peace soon so I can go to concerts."

Flag groups such as 'Panda Enthusiasts' and 'Hamburger Lovers' also appeared. Lee Eun-ae (39), holding a flag of the 'Mediterranean Panda Hegemonists Union,' said, "I'm just a panda enthusiast. I want to relax at home watching panda videos on YouTube. I hope such a world comes soon," adding, "This situation makes me angry. Even ordinary people see that this makes no sense. I never thought rallies were fun, but surprisingly, it’s enjoyable to hear people talk from various places."

Nam Mo (27), holding a flag of the 'Hamburger Lovers Club,' said, "I really like hamburgers. Every time I eat, I look for something delicious. My favorite brand is McDonald's. I designed and made the flag with my friends," recalling, "During the martial law, I thought it was a lie. I was really anxious and scared to the point I couldn’t even speak."

Kim Ye-won (22), who made the flag titled 'Becoming the Light of the Dark Sea,' said, "I took a phrase from a novel to create the flag. I thought it was exactly the right time," adding, "I thought the impeachment would happen last week, but since it didn’t, I came out to shout myself. I hope for a Republic of Korea where liberal democracy is guaranteed."

Working journalists held a 'Yoon Suk-yeol Impeachment Urging Pan-Media Resolution Rally' in front of the KBS main building in Yeouido, stating, "The National Assembly must pass the impeachment motion against Yoon Suk-yeol. All members of the National Assembly should participate in the vote," and added, "The anger of the people filling the streets must be resolved by implementing the constitution and laws inside the National Assembly. We will regard lawmakers who abstain from this impeachment vote as enemies of press freedom and democracy and judge them together with the people."

This political declaration was led by the Barun Regional Media Alliance, Broadcast Journalists Association, National Union of Mediaworkers, Korea Journalists Association, Korea Broadcast Technicians Union, Korea Broadcast Cameramen Union, Korea Photojournalists Association, Korea Announcers Association, Korea Women Journalists Association, Korea Video Journalists Association, Korea Video Editors Association, Korea Investigative Journalists Association, Korea Editors Association, and Korea PD Association, with participation from a total of 297 media outlets and 4,164 working journalists. The declaration was published in special editions of the Journalists Association Newspaper, Kyunghyang Shinmun Saturday Special Edition, and Hankyoreh Newspaper special edition.

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