South Korea’s parliament has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, a move celebrated by millions of protesters who have taken to the streets in recent weeks. The impeachment follows Yoon’s failed coup attempt earlier this month and his subsequent defense of martial law.
The working class has played a critical role in the mass mobilizations, with significant protests occurring in Seoul and other major cities. Demonstrators celebrated the impeachment vote on Saturday with chants demanding, “Arrest Yoon immediately!”
The Constitutional Court must now confirm the impeachment, a decision expected within 180 days. In the meantime, protests continue outside the National Assembly in Seoul, with daily demonstrations drawing tens of thousands.
On Friday, over 100,000 people gathered in the capital, joined by thousands of students in the largest inter-university rally in over a decade. These rallies were supported by 30 student unions and reflect the growing solidarity across different sectors of society.
Workers have also stepped up. Employees at Kia Motors, part of the Metal Workers’ Union, staged strikes this week, and there is growing pressure for more extensive industrial action.
Kim Woo Yong, a trade unionist at Kia Motors, highlighted the pivotal role of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) in the fight against Yoon. The union federation’s initial call for a general strike forced the government to retreat from martial law, but Woo Yong criticized union leaders for failing to sustain the momentum.
“Workers remember the harsh repression of past military dictatorships,” he said. “Many are angry that union leaders are only calling for limited strikes. We need to strike until Yoon is impeached or arrested.”
Pressure from rank-and-file workers has pushed some unions to take stronger action. For instance, Kia Motors employees joined strikes after expressing frustration with their leadership’s earlier hesitancy.
South Korea is grappling with prolonged economic challenges, including low growth rates and increasing competition in industries like semiconductors, cars, and petrochemicals. President Yoon’s policies, which included attempts to impose healthcare, pension, and wage reforms, have faced significant resistance from workers throughout his presidency.
Amid these economic pressures, Yoon turned to martial law, claiming it was necessary to preserve “liberal democracy.” However, widespread protests and strikes have inflicted significant political damage on his administration.
Woo Yong noted that South Korea’s workers are increasingly confident in their ability to challenge the ruling class. “The working class has the power to stop another coup,” he said, though he acknowledged the struggle would face ups and downs.
Many workers believe that broader and more unified strikes are essential to achieving regime change. “We would be stronger together,” Woo Yong said, referencing the need for coordination among different unions and sectors.
As South Korea awaits the Constitutional Court’s decision, the protests show no sign of slowing. Demonstrators and workers alike are determined to not only remove Yoon from power but also push for deeper systemic change.
