President Yoon Suk Yeol’s supporters: “Now, the Only Option Is to Crush Them by Force”
As the final arguments in the Constitutional Court’s Yoon impeachment trial have concluded, leaving only the verdict, Yoon’s supporters opposing impeachment have increasingly used extreme rhetoric.
According to South Korea’s online community DC Inside on Thursday, shortly after Yoon delivered his final statement at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a post stated, “Judging by how restrained his speech was, the only option left is to crush them by force.”
On Wednesday, another post read, “President Yoon needs to give us a clear target one last time so we can rally together—even if that means actual violence.”
A post declaring, “If the impeachment is upheld with an 8-0 ruling, it’s just Purge Day,” waalso s uwasdalso “Purge Day” refers to a scenario in which all crimes, including assault and murder, are permitted, and law enforcement ceases to function, originating from the film The Purge. This remark has been interpreted as suggesting that violence could be justified if Yoon is impeached.
Similarly, another netizen wrote, “If they uphold the impeachment? Then 3 million of us will gather in Gwanghwamun, storm the Constitutional Court, the Democratic Party headquarters, and the National Assembly, and overthrow them. If the people do it, is that a riot?”
Posts targeting a specific media outlet surfaced on forums with opposing political views, stating, “I need to see that newspaper shut down with my own eyes,” and “Even if they change their stance, they should still be stomped out.”
Such aggressive rhetoric is frequently heard at real-life anti-impeachment protests. On the day of the final hearing, a rally supporting Yoon took place near the Constitutional Court. One participant, wearing the South Korean flag as a cape, held a shield with the phrase “It’s okay to kill communists” written on it.
A speaker who took the stage to support President Yoon declared, “Let’s cut off the heads of the communist puppets before the year is over.”
Another speaker stated, “If the president holds out, we will push forward next,” hinting at illegal trespassing. However, he quickly backtracked, saying, “We’re here for a peaceful protest, so don’t listen to those who are inciting violence.”
While these rallies are officially declared peaceful protests, many subtle incitements to violence are evident.
Ju Ok Soon, head of the Mothers of Korea organization, intervened when a young speaker shouted expletives at pro-impeachment protesters. She told him not to use profanity but then asked the crowd to encourage him, seemingly endorsing his stance.
Meanwhile, near the Constitutional Court, impeachment supporters and Yoon supporters have frequently clashed, exchanging shouts and insults. Tensions have also risen among pro and anti-impeachment YouTubers, prompting police intervention.
Online and offline calls for violence could lead to criminal investigations.
Last Saturday, a YouTuber posted, “Can we really stop the impeachment with peaceful protests? If the Constitutional Court upholds impeachment, there must be a chilling atmosphere and signs of a civil war for politicians to start negotiating.” This individual has since been booked by the police on charges of inciting insurrection.