Tens of thousands of South Koreans protest in cold weather for President Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korean police estimated on February 8 that about 35,000 people participated in a protest in support of President Yoon Suk-yeol in the capital Seoul with banners such as "Impeachment void" and "Free President Yoon".

"When the warm spring comes, we will warmly welcome President Yoon and patriotic citizens at this beautiful square. Don't give up and fight for a hopeful day," said lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun of the ruling People's Power Party (PPP).

About 100 supporters gathered outside the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, where Mr Yoon is being held, chanting "Release President Yoon".

A protest also took place at Dongdaegu Station Square, the entrance to Daegu City, at around 2 p.m. Police estimated that around 52,000 people attended the event, four times the number of people who attended the protest in Busan on February 1.

Jeon Han-gil, a Korean history lecturer who participated in the protest, accused the opposition Democratic Party (DP) of trying to impeach an elected president, paralyzing the executive branch and national institutions. He also accused the DP of being the "main culprit of the civil war".

Protests in support of President Yoon also took place in many locations despite the sub-zero weather.

Along with events in support of President Yoon, many protests calling for his impeachment also took place across the country.

A rally was held at a square in Dong-gu District, Gwangju City, with the participation of about 170 social groups and local residents on the afternoon of February 8. Hundreds of people have participated in protests in Gwangju every Saturday, after Mr. Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, calling for the impeachment of the South Korean President.

In Busan, protesters said that "the civil war caused by illegal martial law continues and has turned the country into a mess", continuously calling for the impeachment of Mr. Yoon Seok-yeol as soon as possible.

President Yoon, who has been stripped of power since a parliamentary impeachment vote on December 14, 2024, was arrested at his Seoul residence on January 15 after repeatedly refusing summons for questioning. He is facing investigations on charges of rebellion and abuse of power for declaring martial law, and is being held in a Seoul prison during the process.

Mr. Yoon appeared on February 6 at the Constitutional Court hearing, which is considering the impeachment resolution passed by the National Assembly of South Korea. The South Korean president declared that "the trial was distorted" to serve the purpose of removing him from office.

If the court upholds the impeachment, Mr. Yoon will be removed from office and South Korea will need to hold a presidential election within 60 days. If he is not impeached, he will be reinstated.