Public anger erupts over ruling party's refusal to vote on impeachment

Protesters rally at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday, calling for the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol during the scheduled plenary session vote. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Frustration erupted during a candlelight march outside the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Saturday night as news spread that all but three People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers had walked out to avoid the impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Participants in the candlelight rally reacted with sighs and shouts, with some chanting, "This is no longer a parliament that represents the people" and "The PPP must be dissolved."

One protester asked, “How can we let a president who turned his back on the people with an illegal martial law remain in office?”

The rally site was packed, with an unofficial police estimate of 101,000 attendees, while organizers claimed the number reached 1 million across Yeouido. The influx caused subway disruptions, with trains skipping Yeouido and National Assembly stations.

Protesters, holding signs reading “Protect our country with the power of the candlelight,” chanted, “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!”

The crowd's anger peaked after the National Assembly voted to reject a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into corruption allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Kim, 56, who joined the rally with her classmates from college, was furious.

She said, “How could they reject the special prosecutor bill with so many citizens watching? Thinking about the past two and a half years of chaos under Yoon and Kim Keon-hee makes my blood boil.”

Some attendees threw their signs on the ground in frustration.

Protesters rally in front of the National Assembly, demanding the passage of the motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

'Nothing but anger and despair'

The crowd grew restless as screens installed at the rally showed PPP lawmakers leaving the chamber after voting on the special counsel bill before the impeachment vote. Fears of a quorum failure for the impeachment vote led to cries of anger.

Joo Ga-hyun, 20, a university student, tearfully said, “This is absurd. I feel nothing but anger and despair. We were taught that power comes from the people, but this makes me question everything.”

Lee Sung-kuk, 53, voiced his frustration, saying, “The people should vote directly on impeachment. Honestly, I want to march straight to the presidential office in Yongsan.”

Outside the PPP headquarters in Yeouido, protesters chanted, “Disband the People Power Party!” and criticized the party for abandoning their duties. “The PPP is not a legitimate party,” some shouted, while others accused it of insulting the National Assembly.

With the PPP refusing to participate in the impeachment vote, the candlelight protests, which have grown in intensity, are expected to continue.

“This is beyond comprehension. Impeachment is the only option,” Lee Hwan-pyo, 42, said.

Yang Ji-soo, 37, said, “We need to gather even more voices from across the country.”

Choi Jae-sung, 61, said, “History cannot be overturned. I will stand with those who came out today and continue this fight together.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.