Pro-Yoon churches rally for impeachment reversal in South Korea

South Korea's Constitutional Court is set to decide soon on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. This situation has caught the attention of pro-Yoon churches, which are rallying behind him as his strongest supporters. These pastors and their congregations hold mass protests, post videos online, and speak to lawmakers, demanding Yoon’s reinstatement after his impeachment for declaring martial law in December. The churches view Yoon’s impeachment as a serious threat, not just to him but also to South Korea's fight against North Korea and other dangers. Critics argue that these churches are using this moment for attention and power as they face declining congregations in a more secular society. A theology expert mentioned that their actions show a desire to maintain influence. Amid this, recent polling shows Yoon's popularity recovering, with his party now trailing the opposition by just four percentage points. This is a significant improvement since December when they were down by 24 points. The group Save Korea has spearheaded the anti-impeachment movement, featuring large rallies, including one in Daegu that attracted over 50,000 participants. Some supporters have expressed confusion over the martial law declaration initially but have since rallied for Yoon. Protesters during these events have carried signs supporting martial law and disputing electoral integrity claims. Lawmakers from Yoon's party have also engaged in prayer at protests, framing the situation as a "spiritual war." President Yoon's controversial declaration aimed to ban political activities and control the media, which led to widespread protests and his impeachment. Despite his brief martial law declaration being lifted quickly, it triggered unrest. Yoon's supporters have been actively counter-protesting, particularly around the time of his arrest in January. As the court decision nears, there are heightened concerns about potential violence at protests, with police preparing for possible unrest. A prominent pastor who leads pro-Yoon demonstrations has made statements indicating readiness to confront opposition. This pastor is under investigation for possible incitement related to riots earlier this year. The churches’ increasing political activism coincides with their struggle to attract followers, with a recent poll indicating a drop in religious identification among South Koreans. Some religious groups have criticized the pro-Yoon movement, labeling it a "political group" in disguise. However, Save Korea maintains its focus on prayer and evangelical values rather than political affiliations.