Anti-impeachment rally draws 10 million nationwide

Mar 04, 2025, 10:16 am

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A massive rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol took place in the Gwanghwamun and Yeouido areas of Seoul on Saturday, drawing nearly 5.3 million people, according to the organizers. The number of attendees far surpassed those of past protests, such as the candlelight vigil for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016 and the rally against Cho Kuk in Gwanghwamun in 2019. The chants of "No Impeachment" echoed throughout the area. The photo shows the anti-impeachment rally in Gwanghwamun on March 1, 2025.

AsiaToday reporter Han Dae-eui

A massive rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol took place in Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and various locations across South Korea on Saturday, showcasing the power of 10 million people. At Marronnier Park in Seoul, a nationwide student declaration highlighted the existential threat posed by pro-North Korea and pro-China forces and justified President Yoon's emergency martial law on December 3. The gathered citizens declared their demand for the Constitutional Court, which is currently deliberating President Yoon's impeachment, to comply with the people's mandate. They also sent a warning message to the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and its leader Lee Jae-myung, stating that they would not hesitate to invoke the people's right to resistance.

The anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon in Gwanghwamun and Yeouido areas of Seoul drew nearly 5.3 million people, according to the organizers. The number of attendees far surpassed those of past protests, such as the candlelight vigil for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016 and the rally against Cho Kuk in Gwanghwamun in 2019. The chants of "No Impeachment" echoed throughout the area.

The rally organized by the Korea Right Establishment Movement Headquarters in Gwanghwamun saw a sea of people. The entire area from Gwanghwamun Square to City Hall Square, Cheonggyecheon, Daehanmun, Namdaemun, and Seoul Station was filled with crowds chanting against impeachment. Even large-scale rallies usually only reach Namdaemun, but this time the crowd extended beyond Namdaemun to Seoul Station, indicating the intense fervor of the rally. The police estimated the number of participants in the Gwanghwamun rally at 101,000 as of 3 PM that day. This far exceeded the numbers of the 1987 Democratic Uprising, the 2016 candlelight vigil for Park Geun-hye's impeachment, and the 2019 rally against Cho Kuk. When combined with the anti-impeachment rally in Yeouido and the nationwide student declaration and march at Marronnier Park in Hyehwa-dong, the police estimate a minimum of 1 million participants, while the organizers claim 10 million.

The Save Korea rally in Yeouido also filled the lanes from the southern entrance of Mapo Bridge to the entrance of Seoul Bridge. The overflowing crowd filled Yeouido Park. The organizers estimated 300,000 participants, while the police estimated 55,000. Notably, there were many teenagers and young people in their 20s and 30s at the rally. Despite the rainy weather, the organizers' estimate of 300,000 seemed plausible when considering those who took shelter in nearby shops and buildings.

A ruling party official who experienced the anti-impeachment rallies in Gwanghwamun and Yeouido said, "As I walked around Yeouido, Gwanghwamun, Seoul Station, and Anguk-dong, I felt that the people had already declared President Yoon's return to office. I hope the Constitutional Court judges will comply with the people's declaration, and that Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party, who are pro-China and anti-American traitors, will stop their treasonous acts and obey the people's will. Only then will they be able to preserve their lives."

On the other hand, a pro-impeachment rally for President Yoon was also held on the same day, led by the Democratic Party, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and other opposition parties. The rally in Anguk-dong, attended by DP leader Lee Jae-myung and mobilized by the opposition parties, drew an estimated 18,000 participants according to the police. Although 130 DP lawmakers participated, the turnout was low. Even if generously estimated at 30,000, the participation rate was 30 times higher for the anti-impeachment side.

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