SEOUL: South Korea is bracing for a wave of protests scheduled for Saturday, December 28, as supporters and detractors of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol gear up for a clash of ideals just two weeks after his impeachment sent shockwaves throughout the nation.

The political landscape in South Korea has become increasingly volatile since Yoon attempted to impose martial law earlier in December, leading to widespread demonstrations that have been dubbed the worst political crisis the country has faced in decades.

The recent turmoil escalated when lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday after he resisted calls to finalize Yoon's impeachment process and hold him accountable. This pivotal moment has left the Constitutional Court to determine the fates of both Yoon and Han, setting the stage for ongoing tensions between their respective supporters.

Supporters of Yoon plan to gather in significant numbers, with rally organizer Rhee Kang-san claiming, "Nearly two million people will come together to protect President Yoon." He emphasized that the rally is part of a larger effort to amplify the voices of those opposed to the impeachment.

On the other side, organizers of an anti-Yoon rally express escalating anger towards the suspended leader. "The people are now strongly demanding Yoon's immediate dismissal and punishment," one organizer noted, highlighting the passionate sentiments fueling the opposition's cause.

Central to the political conflict is Han's controversial refusal to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, which currently has three vacant seats. With only six judges able to decide on Yoon’s impeachment, a single dissenting vote could potentially reinstate him. The opposition has urged Han to nominate judges to fill the vacant positions, but his lack of action has plunged both factions into a political deadlock.

Following the impeachment of Han, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepped in as acting president and prime minister, thrusting the nation into uncharted territory. "We've had an acting president before, but this is the first time we've had a substitute for a substitute," noted Lee Jun-han, a political science professor at Incheon National University.

In his response to the impeachment, Choi emphasized that "minimizing governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment," while affirming the government’s commitment to navigate through this chaotic period. However, like his predecessor Han, Choi is likely to face mounting pressure to move forward with appointing new judges. Should he decline, the prospect of his own impeachment looms ominously on the horizon.

As South Koreans prepare for the upcoming protests, all eyes are on the Constitutional Court, where the future of Yoon Suk Yeol—and the stability of South Korea's political system—hangs in the balance. Will this unprecedented situation ignite further divisions, or pave the way for political reform? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the stakes have never been higher.