After impeachment, rallies turn into massive celebrations

Citizens shout in joy and celebrate near the National Assembly on Friday at the news that the impeachment motion was passed. [WOO SANG-JO]

Shouts of joy and celebration rang out among the thousands gathered just 100 meters (328 feet) from the National Assembly on Friday afternoon as the motion to impeach President Park Geun-hye passed with 234 votes out of 299.

According to police, some 4,000 gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, and many travelled in from out of Seoul. Some 100 residents of Gwangju, South Jeolla, chartered three buses to travel to Seoul.

Those who could not visit Seoul held local candlelight vigils in Gwangju, Suncheon, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Jeju and elsewhere.
Shouts of joy broke out across the country at these rallies when the televised National Assembly meeting announced the decision to impeach Park at around 4:10 p.m. The celebration could be witnessed even in Park and her family’s hometowns.

“It is only right that Park takes responsibility for her violation of the constitution,” said Kim Yeon-hwa, a 47-year-old resident of Daegu, Park’s hometown. “That’s the way law works.”

“Park must submit to judicial action,” said a resident of Dalseong County of Daegu. Dalseong was Park’s district while she was a lawmaker. “Dalseong may have supported her throughout her career, but now it’s time for Dalseong to see her step down.”

“Park should have never been made president,” said Yoo Eun-joo, a 47-year-old resident of Okcheon, North Chungcheong, where Park’s mother was born. “It is right that she is impeached after she ruined state affairs.”

“Park Chung Hee is Park Chung Hee, and Park Geun-hye is Park Geun-hye,” said Lee Woo-sung, a 33-year-old resident of Gumi, Park Chung Hee’s hometown. “For the sake of the country, Park must step down immediately without waiting for a ruling from the Constitutional Court.”

Other regions also celebrated the result.

In front of the Saenuri Party’s office in Gwangju, people shouted “Hail democracy!” when the impeachment motion was passed.

Some 100 Busan residents gathered in front of the Saenuri Party’s office in Namcheon-dong and shouted in joy when the motion was passed, then broke out in a song that was sung throughout the weekly rallies demanding Park’s resignation since October.

“I am so happy that Park is impeached,” said Chung Hyun-joon, a Busan resident, who showed tears at the news. “I was embarrassed that I had once supported her. The Saenuri Party must now be dismantled.”

The Saenuri Party came under fire when it decided to help Park make an honorable exit last week, saying Park should step down in late April 2017 and a presidential election be held in June 2017.

Some elderly residents in Dalseong of Daegu did express frustration and sadness over the impeachment decision.

“How can this be?” asked Kim Young-sik, an 87-year-old resident of Dalseong. “All my life I supported Park. My heart aches at the news.

I could die of such sadness.”

“How dare they impeach the president,” Kim Man-soo, a 85-year-old resident retorted angrily at a community center in Dalseong. “Now what is the president to do? What will happen to her?”

Many at the rallies on Friday vowed to continue to participate in rallies scheduled throughout the country today, saying “things are not over yet.”

“The passing of the impeachment motion is only the beginning,” said Ha Hae-min, a 17-year-old resident of Busan. “I will be at the rally on Saturday, as all efforts to elect a good president next year must continue.”

The rallies throughout the country, including the one in front of the National Assembly and later in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, turned into festive celebrations by Friday evening.

BY SONG YEE-HO, KIM YOUN-HO, LEE EUN-JI AND KIM BANG-HYUN [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]