Protesters in South Korea rejoice as lawmakers impeach President Yoon

K-pop fans turned out in droves, waving glow sticks representing their favourite pop groups and mostly pushing for Yoon's ouster

- Bloomberg

SEOUL: Protesters on the streets of Seoul erupted with emotion on Saturday after lawmakers passed a motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose short-lived declaration of martial law earlier this month stunned the nation.

As headlines flashed on their phones that enough officials had voted in favour of impeachment, anti-Yoon protesters screamed in jubilation near the National Assembly, chanting K-pop songs and releasing balloons into the air. About 200,000 people gathered in the area, local media reported, citing an unofficial tally by police.

"I brought my kids here to show them how democracy works," said Arron Lim, who attended the protest with his wife and three young children. "Citizens are doing their duty."

Saturday was a big day for South Korea and in Seoul, where many thousands have gathered over the past couple of weeks to voice their displeasure for - or support of - Yoon.