Protesters who have been backing Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment celebrated near the parliament building after hearing the news, waving colorful light sticks and playing upbeat music.
Many wore clothes decorated with Christmas decorations and Santa Outfits, as well as colorful K-Pop light sticks normally reserved for concerts.
The AFP news agency spoke to one of the protesters, Choi Jung-ha, 52, as she danced in the street after the vote.
“Isn’t it amazing that we, the people, have pulled this off together?” she said.
“I am 100 percent certain the Constitutional Court will side with the impeachment.”
On the other side of Seoul, near Gwanghwamun Square, police estimated that some 30,000 had gathered in support of the impeached president.
he acting defense minister of South Korea has urged the military to maintain preparedness, his ministry said on Saturday.
Kim Seon-ho ordered commanding officers to work swiftly to stabilize troop commands, the ministry said in a statement after the country’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The impeached South Korean president has issued a statement saying he would “never give up” and calling for officials to maintain stability.
Yoon Suk Yeol described the latest scenario as a “temporary” pause of his presidency.
“Holding in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me, I will do my best for the country until the very last moment,” he said.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has vowed to “ensure stable governance” after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Han promised to do his best to run the government stably after the impeachment.
“My heart is very heavy,” Han, who becomes acting president as Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended, told reporters after the vote.
“I will devote all my strength and efforts to ensure stable governance,” he added.
South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party has celebrated after the successful motion to impeach Yoon.
“Today’s impeachment is the great victory of the people,” Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said following the vote.
