South Korea: Citizens celebrate 'people's victory' over Yoon's impeachment

Seoul, December 14 (IANS) A crowd of citizens erupted in elation and tears on the streets nationwide on Saturday as the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his surprise martial law declaration last week, calling it a 'people's victory.'

Defying the December chill, hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the Assembly in Seoul and other major spots across the nation, demanding Yoon's impeachment.

Rally participants near Jungangno Station in the city of Daegu, a key stronghold for conservatives, stood up en masse and cheered at the news that the motion to impeach Yoon was approved at the National Assembly with 204 of the total 300 votes. An estimated 30,000 people joined the rally in Daegu, Yonhap news agency reported.

"I am relieved that some votes in favour of the motion were cast by members of the ruling People Power Party," a citizen in his 50s told.

"Having this many people in Daegu come out on the streets and demand impeachment means that its passage was just a matter of time, if it hadn't been passed today," he said.

In the southwestern city of Jeonju, where some 10,000 gathered, the rally turned festive at the motion's passage with participants cheering, "Candlelit citizens achieved a victory."

A 21-year-old university student, who participated in a rally in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, was teary, letting out a sigh of relief.

"I was very nervous when the first vote on the impeachment motion was nullified (last week.) I hope that our society will now unite their strength to create one filled with hope."

Crowds also erupted in clapping and cheers, waving colorful, lighted K-pop cheering sticks near the National Assembly in Seoul, chanting en masse 'We have won' and ‘South Korea is a democratic republic.’

South Korean PM orders military to strengthen security posture after Yoon's impeachment

 South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday ordered for the military to strengthen its security posture as part of his first instructions to government branches after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Han made the instruction to acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho, shortly after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon over his botched imposition of martial law on December 3.

He also instructed Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo to maintain a 'firm' security posture based on the alliance with the United States, citing the possibility of North Korea perceiving the current situation as a 'vulnerable' moment in the South's security and carrying out provocations.

Han also instructed Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to maintain close communications with major countries through the alliance with the US and actively inform countries there are no changes in South Korea's foreign policy, Yonhap news agency reported.

In his instructions to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, Han called for a round-the-clock monitoring system to minimise the potential impact on the economy from the political situation, and take emergency response measures if needed.

He also directed acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong to maintain public order, citing the possibility of an increase in crimes due to the political situation.

"I will give all my strength and effort to stably manage state affairs in this difficult time," Han told reporters at the government complex in Seoul.

Han will convene a Cabinet meeting and deliver a public address after Yoon is officially suspended from his duties when the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office.

The impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, after all 300 members of the Assembly cast their ballots.

Earlier in the day, the South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law.