Opposing demonstrators took to the streets in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, both in support of and opposition to impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, as the constitutional court prepares to rule on whether to uphold or overturn Yoon's impeachment over his botched imposition of martial law.
The South Korean police will issue the highest level of emergency order to deploy about 20,000 riot policemen from 338 units across the country for expected protests and crowd control when the court reaches a conclusion.
Of the total, about 14,000 riot policemen will be deployed in Seoul, where the constitutional court is located.
Even though a ruling date has yet to be set for Yoon's case, the court has already turned into a well-defended building under siege.
Pro- and anti-Yoon protesters packed the main streets of central Seoul, waving political banners and South Korean national flags.
A Yoon supporter named Sok-hee expressed disbelief at the idea that the impeachment would be upheld.
"If our president got impeached, I cannot think of that, even. Even if I try to think, I will be so angry," she said.
On the other side of the political divide, there is apprehension that Yoon's impeachment might be overturned.
"Won't there be huge chaos in the country? All the people, the absolute majority, will never stand still," said Park In-hwan, an anti-Yoon demonstrator.
Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country's first sitting president to be arrested and prosecuted. He was released on March 8 as the prosecution decided not to appeal against a court's release approval.
The Korean president declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 last year, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later.
A motion to impeach Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec 14, and since then the constitutional court held 11 hearings on the impeachment.
Protesters take to streets in Seoul ahead of court ruling on Yoon's impeachment
A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the Syrian interim authorities to advance an inclusive transition process and take decisive measures to combat terrorism.
The Syrian interim authorities announced the launch of a one-month independent investigation following the indiscriminate killing of civilians in the coastal areas, "the inhumanity and brutality of which is outrageous," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said in remarks at a UN Security Council meeting, after the Secretary General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen briefed the Security Council on the latest political and humanitarian landscape in Syria.
Stressing that China is following the investigation progress, Fu called on the Syrian interim authorities to carry out their work in a "transparent and responsible" manner.
Nearly 1,500 people, including more than 1,000 civilians, have been killed in the widespread violence in western Syria's Latakia and Tartus provinces since March 6, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UN Security Council condemned the mass killings of civilians and urged the government to "protect all Syrians without distinction".
Meanwhile, Fu said that China takes note of the recent measures to advance the political transition, calling for the authorities to "earnestly deliver on their commitments" and engage in broad dialogue and consultation with all sectors in the country to achieve genuine inclusiveness. He emphasized that the work of Special Envoy Pedersen should be respected and supported by all parties, the Office of the Special Envoy needs to strengthen its team on the ground, and the League of Arab States can play a greater role in the Syrian political process.
The ambassador also expressed concern about new terrorist threats in Syria, and underscored the need to preserve the bottom line of countering terrorism.
Following the change in the situation in Syria, foreign terrorist fighters in Idlib have moved across the country, posing an immediate threat to the Syrian people and regional and international peace, Fu said. "They have been involved in the mistreatment and killing of civilians in the coastal areas. This is yet another reminder of the need to remain highly vigilant against the terrorist forces in Syria."
He urged the interim authorities to fulfill their counter-terrorism obligations and to take decisive measures to combat all Security Council-listed terrorist organizations, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.
In addition to political and security concerns, Fu emphasized the importance of improving Syria's economy and livelihoods, which he described as a top priority for the interim authorities. He called on traditional donor countries to increase humanitarian assistance and urged actions to eliminate the negative impact of unilateral sanctions that have exacerbated the country's economic woes.
Reiterating that Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity should be respected, Fu condemned Israel's airstrikes against Syria and urged it to withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible.
"In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected. The Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. The 1974 disengagement agreement should be complied with. China condemns the Israeli airstrikes against Syria. Israel should withdraw from Syrian territory without delay," said the Chinese envoy.
Chinese envoy calls on Syria to advance inclusive transition, combat terrorism
