Protests opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol took place across South Korea on Feb. 8, with one of the largest rallies held at Park Jeong-hee Square near Dongdaegu Station in Daegu. Police estimated the crowd at 52,000, while organizers claimed 300,000 attendees.
The event, organized by the evangelical group Save Korea, was part of a national emergency prayer gathering. The turnout was four times larger than the 13,000 participants at a similar rally hosted by the group at Busan Station on Feb. 1. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Nullify the impeachment” and “Arrest Lee Jae-myung,” referring to the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Protesters held signs with messages such as “Eradicate Pro-North Judge,” “Lee Jae-myung Is the Insurrection Leader,” and “Verify Election Fraud.” A notable number of participants were in their 20s and 30s.
“There should be a thorough investigation if the majority of people suspect election fraud,” said Jang Hyo-won, 30, an office worker. Kwon Bo-kyung, 35, added, “I couldn’t stand by and watch legal and social principles being undermined by the opposition party.”
Park Joo-eun, 27, said, “Our generation doesn’t want populist policies like 250,000 won per person in relief funds.” Ko Jae-min, 35, from Incheon, added, “Seeing elderly people braving the cold to protest made me realize I couldn’t just sit behind a keyboard commenting online.”
Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil claimed from the stage, “If President Yoon’s approval rating surpasses 60%, the Constitutional Court will inevitably dismiss the impeachment.”
Save Korea’s growing influence has fueled speculation about mainstream Protestant groups formally opposing the impeachment. The group is led by Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Presbyterian Church in Busan, who previously organized the “October 27 Korean Church 2 Million United Worship.” Son recently delivered a sermon titled “Lee Jae-myung Must Die for Korea to Live.”
The movement has also drawn prominent figures such as Kim Jeong-min, pastor of Kumnan Methodist Church, which has 140,000 registered members. Hong Ho-soo and Park Jong-ho serve as the group’s organizing chair and secretary-general, respectively. Lee Yong-hee, a professor associated with the evangelical Esther Prayer Movement, is also involved. Lee is known for his conservative stance against homosexuality, anti-discrimination laws, and Islam.
The coalition’s influence has been expanding with support from young adults and YouTubers.
Meanwhile, in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area, Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Presbyterian Church led a large protest on Sejong-daero. Police estimated 35,000 participants, while organizers claimed 3 million. Jeon urged demonstrators to gather 10 million people on March 1 to “exercise the people’s right to resist.”
“If 10 million people assemble in Gwanghwamun, President Yoon will be reinstated, and we can change everything, including the Constitution,” Jeon asserted.
Pastors are reportedly discussing a united rally on March 1, with veteran pastor Kim Jin-hong, 83, mediating the negotiations. Kim, a prominent figure in South Korea’s New Right movement, recently sent a Bible to President Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center. Speaking at the Daegu rally, Kim said, “The youth are awakening through ‘enlightenment martial law,’ and the true nature of pro-North, pro-China forces and election fraud is being exposed.”
Save Korea continues to hold weekly rallies in cities nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Sejong, Chuncheon, Gimcheon, Gumi, Ulsan, Jeonju, and Pohang. A rally is planned for Feb. 15 in Gwangju, where pro-impeachment groups have issued warnings, heightening tensions.
