Pro and Con Demonstrations in Seoul Following Former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Residence Change 🏡

Following Yoon Suk-yeol’s departure from the Hannam-dong official residence to his private residence in Seocho-dong, Seoul saw various pro and con demonstrations.

Key Protests and Gatherings:

• Hannam-dong Area: Supporters from the Free Republic National Alliance (자유대한국민연대) and the Candlelight Action (촛불행동), who previously held impeachment rallies, gathered with 500 and 20,000 people respectively (based on police reports).
• Volvo Building Area: Conservative YouTuber Shinui Hansu (신의한수) organized a rally with 10,000 participants to support Yoon, while the People’s Sovereignty Party (국민주권당) with 3,000 people urged Yoon’s swift departure.
• Seocho-dong Acrovista Area: Progressive YouTuber Political Shot (정치한잔) and conservative YouTuber Bellado (벨라도) held gatherings with 50 and 5,000 people respectively.
• Some Yoon supporters planned to form a ‘human chain’ from the Hannam residence to Seocho-dong.

Post-Departure Protests:

• After 5 PM, protests moved near the Constitutional Court.
• The People Power Party Emergency Committee Gallery (국민의힘비대위갤러리) held a ‘Constitutional Court National Funeral 발인 (Balin) Ceremony’ near Anguk Station. 발인 (Balin) is a traditional Korean Buddhist ceremony to commence the departure of the deceased.
• The Emergency Action for Liquidation of Insurrection and Social Reform (내란청산·사회대개혁 비상행동) organized an ‘Emergency Action to End Insurrection’ at Gyeongbokgung’s Seosipjagak (경복궁 서십자각). Gyeongbokgung is Seoul’s largest palace built in 1395.

These groups, with 200 and 10,000 participants respectively, planned to march through the city after their gatherings. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

The demonstrations reflect the deep divisions in South Korean society regarding the former president. ⚖️