Impeachment Trial: Pros and Cons Divide the Nation
- Protests for and against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duk-soo took place in multiple cities on March 23, 2025, the day before the scheduled impeachment trial.
- In Gwangju, the Gwangju Conservative Civil Social Institution Conference convened a rally at the Antioch Church.The gathering,attended by more than 500 people,featured slogans supporting President Yoon Seok-yeol and...
- Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People's Strength party, and Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil spoke at the rally, both criticizing the impeachment efforts.
Rallies Held Across South Korea Ahead of Impeachment Trial
Table of Contents
Protests for and against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duk-soo took place in multiple cities on March 23, 2025, the day before the scheduled impeachment trial.
Gwangju Sees Pro-Government Rally
In Gwangju, the Gwangju Conservative Civil Social Institution Conference convened a rally at the Antioch Church.The gathering,attended by more than 500 people,featured slogans supporting President Yoon Seok-yeol and opposing the impeachment. The event took the form of a worship service.
Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People’s Strength party, and Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil spoke at the rally, both criticizing the impeachment efforts.
Why will the president who has been left for more than two years to make a riot for the purpose of breaking the country? I wonder about the claim of civil war.
Representative Yoon Sang-hyun
Jeon Han-gil acknowledged the difficulty of opposing impeachment in Gwangju.
It is challenging to make a voice against impeachment in Gwangju. In this situation, you are very courageous people.
Jeon Han-gil
Conversely, a coalition of 180 civic groups in Gwangju, known as Yun Seok-yeol’s Immediate Retirement and social Reforms Gwangju Emergency Action, did not hold an impeachment rally on the 23rd. This group, which has been holding daily rallies since President Yoon’s arrest was canceled, planned to resume their daily demonstrations on march 24.
Busan and gyeongnam Host Competing Demonstrations
In Busan, the liberal Democratic Union, a conservative organization, held a rally condemning the Democratic Party and calling the impeachment invalid. A separate conservative group, Angry Blue, also protested the Constitutional Court. The groups marched approximately 2 kilometers after their rallies, urging opposition to the impeachment.
Gyeongnam saw both pro- and anti-impeachment rallies. The conservative Nara love Federation held a rally opposing the impeachment. Simultaneously occurring, the progressive organization Yoon Seok-yeol’s Immediate Retirement and Social Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action marched 1.6 kilometers after holding an impeachment rally.
Rallies Across South Korea: A Look at the Impeachment Trial Protests
What’s Happening in South Korea?
South Korea is embroiled in political tension. Ahead of the impeachment trial, rallies and counter-rallies took place across multiple cities on March 23, 2025. These demonstrations highlight the deep divisions within the country regarding the impeachment.
What is the impeachment trial about?
The impeachment trial underway concerns President Yoon Seok-yeol. The exact reasons for impeachment are not provided in this article, but the protests show the high stakes and the divergent views of the South Korean population.
where Did the Protests Take place?
Protests where held in multiple cities across South Korea, including Gwangju, Busan, and Gyeongnam.
What Were the Main Issues Being debated?
The rallies touched on the central issue of:
Impeachment: The primary focus of the protests was whether President Yoon should be impeached.
Political Division: The protests revealed deep divisions in South Korean society, with different groups holding opposing views on the President and the impeachment proceedings.
Who Organized the Rallies?
Various organizations and groups organized and participated in the rallies.
Gwangju:
Gwangju Conservative Civil Social Institution conference held a pro-Yoon rally at Antioch Church.
Yun Seok-yeol’s Immediate Retirement and Social Reforms gwangju Emergency Action (a coalition of 180 civic groups) did not hold a rally on March 23 but planned to resume demonstrations on March 24.
Busan:
The liberal Democratic Union held a rally condemning the Democratic Party and called the impeachment invalid.
A conservative group called Angry Blue also protested against the Constitutional Court.
Gyeongnam:
The conservative Nara love Federation held a rally opposing impeachment.
The progressive organization Yoon Seok-yeol’s Immediate Retirement and Social Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action also held an impeachment rally.
What Were the Key Arguments?
The central arguments differed depending on the group’s stance:
Pro-Yoon Supporters: Believed the impeachment was unwarranted,and showed explicit support for the President.
Representative Yoon Sang-hyun questioned the motivations behind the impeachment efforts.
Jeon Han-gil acknowledged the courage of those opposing impeachment in Gwangju.
Anti-Yoon Supporters: Sought the President’s impeachment and likely had other concerns or grievances.
The Democratic Union condemned the Democratic Party.
Differences in Views on Impeachment
The following table summarizes the differing views expressed during the rallies:
| Group | Location | Stance on Impeachment | Key Actions |
| ——————————————– | ——– | —————————– | ———————————————— |
| Gwangju Conservative Civil Social Institution Conference | Gwangju | Opposed Impeachment | Rally with support for President Yoon |
| Yun Seok-yeol’s Immediate retirement and Social Reforms Gwangju Emergency action | Gwangju | Supported Impeachment | Demonstrated daily |
| Democratic Union | Busan | Opposed Impeachment | Rally condemning the Democratic Party |
| Angry Blue | Busan | Opposed Impeachment | Protested the constitutional Court |
| Nara love Federation | Gyeongnam | Opposed Impeachment | Rally opposing impeachment |
| yoon Seok-yeol’s Immediate Retirement and Social Reform Gyeongnam Emergency Action | Gyeongnam | Supported Impeachment | March after holding rally |
What’s Next?
The article notes that the impeachment trial was scheduled to begin on March 24. The protests underscore the meaning of the trial and the potential for lasting political ramifications.