Reactions to Yoon Suk-yeol's Impeachment Decision

On April 4, 2025, at 11:22 AM, the Constitutional Court of Korea announced its decision to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol. This news reached a gathering of approximately 16,000 protesters (according to unofficial police estimates) near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, just 110 meters away. Many attendees expressed disbelief, with some burying their faces in the national flag and weeping, while others sat on the ground in shock. Although numerous supporters shouted phrases like 'Let’s storm the Constitutional Court' and 'We cannot accept this result,' there were no reported clashes with police or injuries during the protests.

Tears flowed from supporters of President Yoon as they stood in front of a police barricade after the court's unanimous decision. Police had erected a 4-meter high barrier around the court to prevent any physical confrontations. Handong University lecturer Jeon Han-gil, who has been vocal against the impeachment through the Christian group Save Korea, stated immediately after the ruling, 'I accept the Constitutional Court's decision.' A 70-year-old man, identified as Shim, expressed his disappointment, saying, 'I came prepared to stay all night, but I’m deflated by the unanimous ruling,' adding that the mood had shifted to one of leaving.

By around 3:30 PM, most of the thousands gathered near the residence and the court had dispersed. Traffic in the city center also decreased significantly, making it easier to navigate compared to a typical Friday.

Earlier that day, a rally against the impeachment, organized by the Liberty Unification Party, began around 8 AM, drawing thousands of citizens. Participants held signs reading 'Come back, Yoon Suk-yeol' and 'Dismiss the impeachment,' chanting his name. When a speaker on stage proclaimed, 'Our president will return right after the court's ruling,' the crowd erupted in cheers.

However, as the live broadcast announced the impeachment, cries of despair echoed throughout the crowd. One citizen threw down a sign that read 'Impeachment Invalid,' exclaiming, 'How can this be?' Another man, visibly upset, shouted, 'Let’s go to the Constitutional Court judges.' At approximately 11:28 AM, a man wearing a helmet and gas mask smashed a police bus window near Anguk Station and was subsequently arrested. Unlike the violent protests during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in March 2017, which resulted in four deaths and 63 injuries, there were no direct confrontations between opposing groups or with police on this day. When Yoon's supporters shouted for immediate action, the event host urged calm, stating, 'We must not incite a riot. Please calm down; violence is not the answer.'

In contrast, the pro-impeachment rally outside the presidential residence was filled with cheers. Some supporters danced and played traditional instruments, creating a festive atmosphere in Gwanghwamun and around the court. Approximately 10,000 participants celebrated, blowing vuvuzelas and chanting, 'We won!' and 'Let’s return to our daily lives.' A 22-year-old named Hwang Bo-hyun shared, 'I watched the live broadcast from the front row. I was so nervous I felt sick.'

Following the ruling in favor of Yoon's impeachment and the acceptance of the decision by conservative groups, the scale of weekend protests is expected to diminish rapidly. Save Korea issued a statement accepting the court's decision, emphasizing that 'violence must never occur under any circumstances.' Although they had planned a rally for 20,000 people near the National Assembly in Yeouido on April 5, this was canceled shortly after the ruling. The Presidential National Defense Committee also ended their rally early that afternoon. Jeon Han-gil reiterated on his YouTube channel that he accepts the court's ruling, stating, 'This is what we pursue in a free democracy and rule of law.' However, the Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, announced plans for a rally of 200,000 people in front of the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Gwanghwamun on April 5. The police, who had previously activated a full mobilization of forces, downgraded their alert level from 'Alpha' to 'Beta' by 6 PM, allowing for 50% of available police resources to be deployed.