In South Korea, protesters demand the arrest of their president, Yoon Suk Yeol

Protesters demanding the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, December 6, 2024. KIM KYUNG-HOON / REUTERS More determined than ever, South Koreans are not disarming to obtain the departure of their president, Yoon Suk Yeol. Since the failure of his attempt to impose martial law, rallies have been held throughout the country against “the betrayal” of a leader whose dismissal must be submitted to the vote of deputies. The vote should take place no later than Saturday, for fear of a reaction from the president’s entourage, which is also the subject of initial investigations. The presidential party called on Thursday, December 5 for the “rapid” departure of the South Korean leader, believing that his continued power represents a “great danger” for the country, without explicitly saying whether it intended to vote for dismissal. In Seoul, demonstrators met Thursday evening in front of the presidency in the Yongsan-gu district, and in the park surrounding the imposing National Assembly building, supported by columns which symbolize the diversity of opinions. In the cold starry night, only one voice spoke that evening: “Immediately arrest the treacherous criminal Yoon Suk Yeol and his accomplices! » Participants held signs saying: “Canceling illegal martial law is a victory for democracy” or “Let’s bring down President Yoon, who turned back South Korea’s clock forty-four years, and let’s make him pay for the hundred and fifty-five minutes of terror. » The one hundred and fifty-five minutes refer to the period, on the night of December 3 to 4, between the announcement of martial law and its cancellation by the deputies. The forty-four years evoke the Gwangju massacres of 1980, committed by the army on the orders of dictator Chun Doo-hwan (1980-1987), who imposed martial law in the southern city. The candle, a symbol In the crowd all generations gather. Even young people, who seemed to lose interest in politics after Mr. Yoon’s election, are mobilized. A student, bundled up in her black down jacket, holds at arm’s length a panel repeating the words of the American anti-slavery philosopher Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): “I was not born to be constrained. I will breathe in my own way. Let’s see who is stronger. » Encouraged by activists and deputies, the crowd sang Christmas carols with twisted texts to mock Mr. Yoon and the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, accused of corruption and securities manipulation. Solemn, the atmosphere is also festive, as if to ward off the fear aroused by the announcement of martial law. You have 58.74% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.



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