Thousands Rally to Reject Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of people rallied in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, April 5, 2025 to support former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from his position the day before due to a failed military emergency declaration.

The Constitutional Court of South Korea unanimously decided last Friday to remove Yoon for his attempt on December 3 to overthrow the civilian government. Yoon's actions triggered a new general election that will take place in June after months of political chaos.

As reported by Arab News, the long wait for the court ruling has heightened tensions in the country, including right-wing support for Yoon and weekly demonstrations by his competitors in the capital Seoul.

Yoon's supporters took to the streets in the capital and braved the rain this week while shouting "impeachment is illegitimate!" and "cancel the snap election!"

"The Constitutional Court's decision is destroying our country's free democracy," said protester Yang Joo-young, 26. "Speaking as someone in their 20s or 30s, I am deeply worried about the future."

Yoon has defended his military emergency efforts as necessary to eliminate "anti-state forces" and what he claims as threats from North Korea.

On the opposing side, there was much jubilation in Seoul last Friday among those who opposed Yoon's government. People hugged and cried after the decision was delivered.

However, Yoon has garnered support from extreme religious figures and right-wing YouTubers. According to experts, these figures have used misinformation to gain support for Yoon.

"President Yoon's presidency has exposed fractures in society based on political polarization and misinformation," said Minseon Ku, a postdoctoral researcher at the William & Mary Global Research Institute, quoted from Arab News.

The court ruled that Yoon's actions in December posed a "serious threat" to the country's stability.

Furthermore, experts assess that opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is seen as the frontrunner in the next election. Lee's party has taken a more conciliatory approach towards North Korea.

Some of Yoon's supporters are concerned about the prospect of Lee's presidency. "I genuinely believe South Korea is finished," said Yoon supporter Park Jong-hwan, 59. "It feels like we have turned into a socialist and communist country."

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