Seoul: Tens of thousands of people staged rallies in central Seoul on Saturday, either demanding the ouster or reinstatement of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his short-lived martial law invocation in December. Both sides called on the Constitutional Court for a prompt ruling on Yoon's impeachment trial, as the court has yet to announce its ruling date on the case.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an estimated 15,000 protesters gathered near Gyeongbok Palace, holding up picket signs demanding Yoon's "immediate ouster" and chanting "End insurrection and embrace a new world." Police blocked traffic in nearby lanes. Kim Jae-ha, a leader of the civic group behind the rally, emphasized the importance of the Constitutional Court upholding democracy.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and four other opposition parties also staged a separate rally in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. DP floor leader Park Chan-dae declared that President Yoon should be in prison and warned that he might attempt martial law again if not ousted.

On Yoon's side, an estimated 23,000 people gathered in central Seoul for a regular weekend rally, denouncing the impeachment as "null and void," and demanding a Constitutional Court ruling in Yoon's favor. Although protesters planned a mass march toward the Constitutional Court, it was canceled due to safety concerns.

Save Korea, a Christian civic group, hosted a separate rally near the National Assembly in Yeouido, attended by about 3,000 participants, including several lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun accused the Constitutional Court of dereliction of duty for not setting a date for Yoon's impeachment ruling, urging the court to deliver its decision next week.