Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Pro and anti-President Yoon Suk-yeol rallies erupted across the capital, Seoul, on March 15 as the nation awaits a crucial ruling from the Constitutional Court that may determine Yoon's future in office. The massive protests reflect the political turmoil stemming from Yoon's declaration of martial law in December 2024, which has sparked South Korea's most severe political crisis in decades.
Anti-Yoon demonstrators gathered in significant numbers at a central square, passionately calling for his immediate removal, while supporters rallied nearby in favor of the president.Source The opposition Democratic Party claimed that as many as a million participants joined the anti-Yoon rally, however, police estimates indicated fewer than 50,000 at each event.Source
As the court still deliberates the case, tensions escalate between Yoon's critics and supporters, particularly after a Gallup Korea poll showed that 58% of respondents favored his impeachment, while only 37% opposed it. The political atmosphere has become increasingly charged due to the uncertainty surrounding Yoon's political status and his ongoing criminal trial on insurrection charges.Source
Democratic Party member Kim Min-seok expressed concern regarding the delay in the ruling, labeling it "irresponsible" and arguing that it exacerbates existing social divisions. He noted, "The country and the people have come to the breaking point," urging for a rapid and decisive resolution.Source
Political tensions remain heightened, as the fallout from Yoon's martial law declaration has rattled both public sentiment and institutional trust within the country. With some military leaders facing criminal proceedings and the government caught in a state of limbo, South Korea stands at a critical juncture as the court prepares to announce its verdict.Source