March 1st 2025.
The city of Seoul was buzzing with activity as both supporters and opponents of South Korean impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol prepared for large-scale rallies on Saturday. The nation was still reeling from the political turmoil caused by Yoon's failed martial law attempt last December and his subsequent impeachment.
The rallies were taking place on the same day as the anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, a significant event in the country's history that marked the struggle against Japan's colonial rule. According to reports from the Yonhap news agency, the Constitutional Court had just concluded its final hearing on Yoon's impeachment trial and was now deliberating on whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.
At 1 p.m., two rallies opposing Yoon's impeachment began in central Seoul near the Gwanghwamun area and in western Seoul's Yeouido. One was led by conservative activist pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, while the other was organized by the conservative Christian group Save Korea. They were expecting a turnout of around 100,000 people each.
On the other hand, a progressive civic group called Candlelight Action had planned a rally near Anguk Station in central Seoul at 2 p.m. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, along with four other opposition parties, would also be holding a rally at 3:30 p.m. in the same location, calling for Yoon's impeachment.
In addition, another group advocating for Yoon's removal was set to hold a march at 5 p.m. in downtown Seoul, with an estimated attendance of 100,000 people. With such large crowds expected, the police had mobilized 6,400 officers and 230 police buses to maintain crowd control.
The Gwanghwamun area saw the deployment of 5,000 officers, while the rest were stationed in Yeouido to ensure order. To facilitate the rallies, traffic was restricted on parts of Sejong-daero in downtown Seoul and Yeoui-daero in western Seoul.
The atmosphere was tense as the nation awaited the outcome of the Constitutional Court's deliberations and the decisions of the rallies. The future of South Korea's leadership hung in the balance, and the people's voices were being heard loud and clear through these demonstrations.
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