There was no letup in South Korea's simmering political crisis as thousands gathered in Seoul on Sunday, staging rival demonstrations both in support of and against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following his release from detention. Some 4,500 pro-Yoon protesters held an outdoor Sunday service near the presidential residence, demanding the Constitutional Court dismiss the impeachment. The service was organized by Sarang Jeil Church, led by conservative activist pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, according to Yonhap news agency. "With President Yoon's release, the impeachment trial has become meaningless. It's over," Jeon was quoted as saying. "In the event the Constitutional Court does something funny, we will exercise the people's right to resist and get rid of them with a single slash," he added. Yoon was released on Saturday after a Seoul court ruled his detention invalid. He had been held since mid-January over his botched martial law attempt in December. However, he still faces trial on charges of leading an insurrection and awaits the Constitutional Court's verdict on whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment. An opposing rally by activists demanding Yoon's immediate removal was held overnight outside Seoul's Gyeongbok Palace. The group later held a news conference outside the nearby government complex to declare a week of "emergency action" urging his ouster. They also planned a march from the National Palace Museum later in the day, claiming it would draw 100,000 participants. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) called for the immediate resignation of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, blaming him for the prosecution's decision to release Yoon after the court ruling. The party threatened to consider "all possible" measures, including Shim's impeachment, if he refused to step down. "Prosecutor General Shim released Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of an insurrection, after voluntarily giving up the opportunity to immediately appeal the court decision (to release him) and receive the judgment of a higher court," DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said following an emergency meeting of lawmakers. The DP and four other minor opposition parties jointly called for Shim's resignation and vowed to push for his impeachment if he did not comply. On the other hand, the ruling People Power Party intensified its calls for the Constitutional Court to dismiss Yoon's impeachment and reinstate him. "The Constitutional Court must keep in mind that it will face unbearable backlash in the event it hastily removes the president from office and he is later acquitted of the insurrection charges," a party spokesperson warned. — Agencies
