Supporters of embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol rally near the Constitutional Court in Seoul to demand the court overturn his impeachment, Tuesday. Yonhap
Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol defiantly gathered around the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Tuesday, demanding the rejection of his impeachment motion by the National Assembly as the embattled president arrived to attend a hearing for his trial.
Yoon left Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, at 12:48 p.m. in a van of the Ministry of Justice and arrived at the Constitutional Court in Jongno District at 1:14 p.m.
Yoon refused to attend the first and second hearings held earlier.
Around 4,000 supporters, according to police, participated in a rally held by the Liberty Korea Party in front of Anguk Station from 1 p.m., waving Korean and American national flags and holding placards with the slogan "Stop the Steal." The slogan referenced the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) impeachment motion, which they claimed was an attempt to wrest control of the country.
Although polls show the nation divided between those who support the embattled leader and those who favor his impeachment, Yoon's supporters have recently made headlines with their passionate — and sometimes violent — displays of loyalty.
"Invalidate the impeachment!" they chanted. "Immediately release the president!”
Pro-Yoon Suk Yeol protesters face police officers in an attempt to approach the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
“Out with the fraudulent elections and fake National Assembly!” they chanted, citing fictional narratives about election fraud that dominate far-right YouTube channels.
“I joined this rally today because the rule of law of the Republic of Korea has collapsed," a 26-year-old from Daejeon said on stage.
"[DPK leader] Lee Jae-myung has not been properly investigated, while they (investigators) kidnapped and arrested our president by executing illegal warrants. Does this make sense?" he said, with people responding with shouts, some of whom yelled “Amen.”
Many who attended the rally emphasized its peaceful nature to distance themselves from the protesters who stormed the Seoul Western District Court last weekend, but called for the release of pro-Yoon demonstrators who were arrested during the incident.
Several rally participants also claimed that Yoon “inevitably declared emergency martial law to protect the people and the free Republic of Korea" and argued that the impeachment was invalid, calling for the dismantling of the National Election Commission for allegedly causing election fraud.
Meanwhile, near exit 2 of Anguk Station close to the Constitutional Court, about 200 supporters gathered in an attempt to get closer to the court and see the president.
Police called for the crowd to disperse, stating that it was an unauthorized rally.
In response, pro-Yoon protesters said, "We're not here to rally, we're just observing," and continued to shout, “Nullify the impeachment,” and “Release the president.”
To prevent a recurrence of the violent riot that took place at the Seoul Western District Court last week, police deployed 64 units and 4,000 personnel around the Constitutional Court.
Police buses are deployed around the Constitutional Court in Seoul, Tuesday, to prevent clashes. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Police officers at the scene wore helmets and riot gear, prepared for any contingency.
Two of the four lanes in front of the Constitutional Court were blocked with police buses. Police also set up a barricade at the main gate of the court to manage the expected large crowd.
The Jongno Police Station said it arrested a woman who assaulted a police officer while heading to the court at 1:30 p.m.
The National Assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14 and he has been suspended from his duties as an investigation is ongoing into allegations that he led an insurrection and abused his power.
The president's appearance at the court on this day marked his first public appearance since he imposed martial law on Dec. 3.