Protests in South Korea Disrupt Daily Life Amid Political Unrest

South Korea is in turmoil as protests continue to disrupt daily life. Commuters face severe traffic jams, and the political unrest shows no signs of easing one week after botched attempt to declare martial law.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in South Korea, with both supporters and opponents of President Yoon Suk Yeol expressing their anger over his failed attempt to impose martial law. The protests have led to widespread disruptions, particularly in Seoul, where traffic has been heavily impacted. Commuters from nearby cities, such as Paju, are facing significant delays as protests block key routes.

Kim Dong-hun, a commuter from Paju, described the situation as chaotic. “The country is in chaos right now, and ordinary citizens are struggling greatly. In my case, it has become very difficult to get to work due to various issues,” he said, referring to the severe traffic jams he encounters daily. “I believe all of this is happening because of this chaos,” he added.

Another commuter, Cha Joo-hyun, expressed a sense of responsibility amid the unrest. “This past weekend, I had a very hard time because of various news, but I believe it is the responsibility of us residents to uphold our respective roles,” she said. “With the strength of our politics and our people, I trust that democracy and constitutionalism will rise and return to stability,” she added, emphasizing her faith in South Korea's democratic institutions.

The protests have also had a ripple effect on South Korea’s financial markets. On Monday, the country’s stock market suffered its sharpest one-day decline since November, with the KOSPI index falling by 1.73%. Investors have expressed growing concerns over the potential for prolonged political instability, which has spooked the market. The government has pledged to take emergency measures to stabilize the economy, though uncertainty remains high as the situation continues to unfold.

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