SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Tens of thousands of people in South Korea are expected at rallies on Saturday against President Yoon Suk Yeol, police said, with organizers predicting some 200,000 people.
“A large-scale gathering and march involving tens of thousands of participants will be held in the city center and Yeouido area (in Seoul) on Saturday, and traffic restrictions will be imposed on some roads,” Seoul Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Korean National Police Agency told Agence France-Presse that organizers were expecting “approximately 200,000” people to show up.
Yoon late Tuesday declared martial law before being forced into a U-turn after lawmakers voted to overturn the measure, as thousands protested outside.
The opposition has put forward an impeachment motion which was set to be voted on late Saturday, while the head of Yoon’s own party on Friday called for him to be stripped of office, warning there was a “significant risk” he could try to impose martial law again.
“Considering the newly emerging facts, I believe that a swift suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s duties is necessary to safeguard the Republic of Korea and its people,” said Han Dong-hoon, the head of Yoon’s People Power Party, who only a day earlier had said he opposed Yoon’s impeachment.
If Yoon remains, “there is a significant risk that extreme actions similar to the martial law declaration could be repeated, which could put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger,” Han said.
Han said that “credible evidence” suggested that Yoon had ordered the arrest of “key politicians” and for them to be placed in a holding facility.
Yoon “does not acknowledge that this illegal martial law is wrong” and has failed to act against the military officials who “illegally intervened,” he added.
Meanwhile, the defense ministry said Friday it had suspended three senior commanders involved in the martial law operation that saw troops deployed to parliament.
“The Ministry of Defense has executed the separation and suspension of duties for three key position holders ... related to the current situation as of December 6,” the ministry said in a statement.