On Friday, South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye. The following day, protestors of the president—who have been demonstrating for months—gathered in historically large numbers celebrate the results.
Prime Minster Hwang Kyo-ahn is overseeing government actions until the Constitutional Court provides a final ruling as to whether or not Park will be removed from office in sixth months.
Saturday, thousands marched up to the presidential palace—located in the Blue House—carrying signs, flags, and yellow balloons.
The demonstrators encouraged Park to step down immediately, rather than wait for the court’s decision. They beat drums and gongs and carried with them an effigy of Park dressed as a prisoner.
“Park Geun-hye, get out of the house! Get out of the house now!” the protestors chanted.
“Come down and go to jail!”
The streets around the Blue House were packed with detractors of Park, the epicenter of the recent political turmoil.
Kim Hye-in, a 51-year-old not residing in Seoul, spoke to the New York Times on her sixth consecutive Saturday protesting in the capital city.
“We got off to a good first step (on Friday). It was a day when we all realized how strong we can collectively be,” said Kim. “But we aren’t there just yet. We need to keep gathering strength and protest until the court officially removes her from office.”
Organizers of the protest said that around 600,000 people came to the demonstration on Saturday.
Park’s impeachment followed weeks of demonstrations by millions of people demanding her removal from office after she was accused of corruption.
Prosecutors have alleged that Park and close friend, Choi Soon-sil, extorted money and other benefits from South Korea’s largest companies. Park is also accused of allowing Choi—who has no official government ties—to have immense power over presidential matters.
Park has since apologized for her relationship with Choi, but denies breaking any laws.
In order for Park to be removed from office, it will require votes for impeachment from six of the nine court justices. If the court votes against Park, the country will need to hold a presidential election within 60 days.
Protestors of the president feel that they have restored order to an unscrupulous democracy. While past demonstrations have been non-violent, the energy on Saturday climaxed as tensions were released following the news of Park’s impeachment.
“We accomplished a peaceful revolution,” said Park Seong-su, an anti-Park protester.
The protestor faces trial for throwing what he claims was dog feces at a Seoul prosecution office on October 31 when Choi, Park’s friend, arrived for questioning. She has since been indicted.
“For long, people were told by politicians what to do, but on Friday, it was the will of people that forced politicians what to do,” he said.
Some believe that Park’s impeachment is not the final step to restore political integrity. They want to continue demonstrating every weekend to urge the court to formally remove the president from office.
Another protester, Kim Hyeong-seok, said that the gatherings may become violent if Park is reinstated.
“Then the candles will turn into torches,” he said.
Not all of South Korea has rallied against the president.
Earlier on Saturday, thousands gathered in support of Park, most of them in their 60’s and above. Supporters waved South Korean flags and demanding that Park’s “demagoguery impeachment” be nullified.
Tensions between the opposing protestors resulted in some verbal altercations.
The previous day, a similar situation led to physical violence between police and anti-Park farmers, some of whom rode tractors to the National Assembly.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Hwang, called a meeting as acting president. He met with Cabinet ministers in a government building by the Blue House to discuss matters of national security, foreign relations, and the economy of the nation.
South Korea is prepared for an attack by North Korea due to their transitional and vulnerable state. As of yet, there are no signs of suspicious activity in the North.
