South Korean Demonstrators See Impeachment Hopes Wane

Outside Seoul’s National Assembly, protesters cheered and waved multicoloured light sticks as pulsating rave music emanated from speakers. They chanted, “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol! Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!” Despite the festive atmosphere, the gathering had a grave purpose: to remove the nation’s president from office. On Saturday morning, four days following Yoon’s unsuccessful bid to declare martial law, the president made another television appearance. This occasion was to offer an apology to the nation, occurring merely hours prior to an impeachment vote. However, his apology did little to placate the populace. As legislators proceeded towards the national assembly, numerous protest rallies commenced throughout Seoul. Although a minority supported the beleaguered president, the majority demanded his resignation or impeachment. By 3pm, the majority of demonstrators had gathered before the National Assembly. The primary road was filled with individuals seated in orderly rows, with police officers positioned along the street. Protest flags swayed in the chilly winter air, while on adjacent streets, vendors offered waffles and red-bean paste-filled pastries to hungry participants. The assembly comprised a varied group, including young students, office workers, and retirees. Police estimated the turnout at approximately 100,000 individuals. South Korean protest rallies frequently resemble outdoor music festivals, featuring rock bands, large screens, and crane cameras, and this event was consistent with that trend. Throughout the afternoon, the attendees were entertained by cheerful acapella melodies, poignant folk songs, and protest anthems. The participants sang along to “South Korea is a Democratic Republic” – a memorable children’s song celebrating democratic principles; the inspiring “A March Song for You”; and even the Korean rendition of “Do You Hear the People Sing” from the musical Les Miserables. Additionally, impassioned speeches were delivered. A union leader declared, “We must wipe out the traitors! If the impeachment vote fails, all 1.5 million members of our union will run straight to the presidential office!” adding, “The traitors will be judged by the sharpened blade of the people!” The crowd responded with chants of “Impeach! Impeach!” However, as the winter daylight gave way to nightfall, the protesters’ hopes also diminished. When the moment arrived to vote on the impeachment bill, the governing People Power Party (PPP) declared a boycott, hindering the opposition, which was short by merely eight votes to approve the measure. Nearly all PPP lawmakers rose from their places and exited the chamber, while opposition members shouted and attempted to stop their departure. Observing these tumultuous events on the outdoor screens, many protesters were dismayed. Office worker Choi Eun-chong lamented, “The freedom of democracy is crumbling because of just one man. It’s killing me.” Freelance writer Park Ga-ram stated, “I think the lawmakers are irresponsible.” She had departed her residence in the southern city of Daegu at 5am, journeying for hours to Seoul solely to participate in the demonstration. “I was waiting all day for this. I hope they go back and vote. I’m trying to stay hopeful but I don’t expect it to happen.” Others expressed greater anger. Activist Luke Kim remarked, “I think Yoon’s a total disgrace for democracy in this country. And the lawmakers, they should represent the people, not the president… we’re very upset,” adding, “We are not going to back down until he is impeached… we will march on until our democracy finally triumphs over this madness done by this crazy president.” Onstage, the protest leaders urged the crowd to encircle the National Assembly. Their aim was that by obstructing the gates and confining PPP lawmakers within, they could provide the opposition sufficient time to convince enough PPP members to cast votes for impeachment. The crowd advanced towards the gates. As protest leaders recited the names of each PPP lawmaker, demonstrators chanted “Go back in, vote!” following every name. The atmosphere brightened when PPP member Kim Sang-wook re-entered the chamber to vote, joining two other party members who had remained. Hope spread through the assembly, with protesters cheering and chanting Kim’s name as if he were a rock star. Organizers played K-pop loudly, and the crowd began dancing, singing, and waving light sticks. Some performed a Mexican wave to a Girls Generation track. Abruptly, the protest evolved into a joyous pop concert. For a period, the mood stayed buoyant. Protesters anticipated that more members of the ruling party would switch sides by the 1am deadline. However, foreboding indicators emerged. Kim informed reporters that he had actually voted against impeachment. For several hours thereafter, no other PPP members joined. Ultimately, at approximately 9pm, the Speaker announced he would conclude the vote prematurely. Instantly, the celebratory atmosphere vanished. The impeachment bill required only five additional votes to advance, but these were not materializing, and time was expiring. The crowd moved nearer to the gates. They pleaded, “Go in, go in!” imploring PPP lawmakers to return to the chamber to cast their votes. At 9.20pm, the speaker officially closed the vote. The crowd fell silent, observing parliamentary officials sort through the ballots. Some emitted groans of disappointment, while a few yelled angrily at the screens. The customary chant of “impeach, impeach” drifted through the air, but it appeared to have lost its intensity. The speaker declared that the bill would not pass. It failed to achieve the quorum of 200 votes required for counting. Among the crowd, a woman uttered a distressed cry and buried her face in her partner’s chest, weeping. The protest leaders hurried to the stage, this time to invigorate the spirits of the attendees. One speaker pledged, “We will not stop until Yoon is punished. The people will not accept the existence of PPP. We will fight till the end, till Yoon is impeached,” then asked, “Dear people, will you join us in our fight to remove Yoon?” The crowd responded with a resounding “Yes!” Concurrently, within the National Assembly, opposition leaders pledged to reintroduce the impeachment bill repeatedly until Yoon was removed. They have public support: three quarters of South Koreans desire an impeachment, based on recent polls, while Yoon’s approval rating has declined further to just 13%. In an effort to conclude on a positive note, the protest leaders played “All I Want for Christmas” as a farewell. They advised the departing crowd, “Don’t forget your belongings, and please take your rubbish with you,” as Mariah Carey’s voice resonated along the quickly clearing avenue. It is anticipated that the road will soon be filled once more, as another series of protests has already been planned for Sunday. Additional reporting was provided by Jake Kwon. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. 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