South Korea’s acting president urges lawful protests ahead of ruling

South Korea’s acting president has urged peaceful protests as the Constitutional Court prepares to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, with authorities warning of strict measures against any unlawful demonstrations.

South Korea’s acting president has stated that authorities will enforce the law strictly in response to any illegal or violent demonstrations, as the Constitutional Court prepares to rule on whether to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office or reinstate him.

The court’s decision is expected soon, possibly this week.

During a Cabinet meeting, Acting President Choi Sang-mok affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the right to peaceful protests while cautioning that any unlawful actions would be addressed in accordance with legal procedures. He also noted that international attention remains on South Korea’s political developments.

Protests both in support of and against Yoon have continued since his suspension in December following his brief martial law declaration on 3 December. Demonstrations resumed in Seoul on Sunday after his release from detention.

Authorities have announced heightened security measures around the Constitutional Court on the day of the ruling, with the area designated as a special crime prevention zone.

Meanwhile, some opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party have stated they will go on a hunger strike if the court upholds Yoon’s removal.

Yoon was released from detention on Saturday after a Seoul court ruled his imprisonment, which began in mid-January, was invalid. However, he remains on trial for charges related to his attempted martial law declaration while awaiting the Constitutional Court’s decision on his impeachment.