South Korea: Cheers, tears as Seoul wakes up to life without Park

James Griffiths
By James Griffiths and Sol Han, CNN
Updated 9:40 PM EST, Sat March 11, 2017
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Story highlights

Park due to leave office after a court upheld a vote by lawmakers to impeach her

Twin protests staged both in support of, and against, impeachment

(CNN) —  

Thousands took to the streets of Seoul to celebrate the dawning of a new political reality in South Korea.

President Park Geun-hye is due to leave office after a Constitutional Court on Friday upheld a vote by lawmakers to impeach her.

With Park out, South Koreans’ attention is now turning to what leadership the next election will usher in, and how the new leadership will handle relationships with the US and North Korea.

Police presence in Seoul was heavy Saturday, after violent protests following the court’s ruling which resulted in the deaths of three demonstrators.

Pro-Park groups staged an angry demonstration outside Seoul City Hall early Saturday, singing the national anthem and waving Korean and American flags.

But as the sun went down the mood of the city was jubilant, as thousands flocked to a giant celebratory rally on the historic Gwanghwamun Square.

According to the Yonhap news agency, more than 70% of Koreans support Park’s impeachment.

South Koreans celebrate in Seoul after the Constitutional Court upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye on Friday, March 10. Demonstrators both for and against Park took to the streets after the verdict.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
South Koreans celebrate in Seoul after the Constitutional Court upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye on Friday, March 10. Demonstrators both for and against Park took to the streets after the verdict.
People celebrate after the Constitutional Court's verdict.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
People celebrate after the Constitutional Court's verdict.
Demonstrators wearing illuminated costumes take part in a rally demanding Park's arrest. Now stripped of her immunity, Park is vulnerable to prosecution in the scandal that triggered her removal. Lawmakers and judges agreed that she abused her authority in helping a friend raise donations from companies.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing illuminated costumes take part in a rally demanding Park's arrest. Now stripped of her immunity, Park is vulnerable to prosecution in the scandal that triggered her removal. Lawmakers and judges agreed that she abused her authority in helping a friend raise donations from companies.
A supporter holds a portrait of Park during a rally opposing her impeachment.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Ahn Young-joon/AP
A supporter holds a portrait of Park during a rally opposing her impeachment.
People opposing Park's impeachment cry during a rally near the Constitutional Court.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Ahn Young-joon/AP
People opposing Park's impeachment cry during a rally near the Constitutional Court.
Police block Park supporters as they march toward the Constitutional Court in opposition of her impeachment.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Ahn Young-joon/AP
Police block Park supporters as they march toward the Constitutional Court in opposition of her impeachment.
A supporter of the ousted president lies in a pool of blood as protesters push to pass a police barricade preventing them from reaching the Constitutional Court. According to police, two people died in the protests. A statement from acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn said several people also were injured.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: KIM CHUL-SOO/EPA
A supporter of the ousted president lies in a pool of blood as protesters push to pass a police barricade preventing them from reaching the Constitutional Court. According to police, two people died in the protests. A statement from acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn said several people also were injured.
Anti-government activists march toward the presidential palace, known as the Blue House. Park will not leave the Blue House immediately, a spokesman told CNN.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government activists march toward the presidential palace, known as the Blue House. Park will not leave the Blue House immediately, a spokesman told CNN.
Park supporters clash with police after the country's Constitutional Court announced it would uphold her impeachment.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Park supporters clash with police after the country's Constitutional Court announced it would uphold her impeachment.
An effigy of Park is paraded through the streets of Seoul.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Kyodo News via Getty Images
An effigy of Park is paraded through the streets of Seoul.
Park supporters shout slogans and wave South Korean flags during a rally to oppose her impeachment.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Ahn Young-joon/AP
Park supporters shout slogans and wave South Korean flags during a rally to oppose her impeachment.
An anti-government activist wears a Park mask.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
An anti-government activist wears a Park mask.
A Park supporter shouts slogans in front of a police line.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A Park supporter shouts slogans in front of a police line.
Park supporters clash with police.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Park supporters clash with police.
Protesters view cutouts of Park and Hwang during a march toward the Blue House.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Lee Jin-man/AP
Protesters view cutouts of Park and Hwang during a march toward the Blue House.
Park supporters are blocked by police during their march toward the Constitutional Court.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Park supporters are blocked by police during their march toward the Constitutional Court.
South Koreans celebrate at a restaurant after hearing the court's unanimous verdict.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Getty Images
South Koreans celebrate at a restaurant after hearing the court's unanimous verdict.
An injured Park supporter lies on a stretcher surrounded by police.
Photos: Protests amid South Korean President's removal from office
PHOTO: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
An injured Park supporter lies on a stretcher surrounded by police.

Seoul music

On stage at Gwanghwamun Square, in front of Seoul’s Imperial Palace, rock bands played loud music and there was a festival-like atmosphere.

Unlike an earlier pro-Park rally, attendees at the square represented a cross section of Seoul society, as families with children, students, office workers and trade unionists celebrated together.

“We finally have our weekend back,” a presenter shouted from stage. Many of those in the crowd have been turning out every Saturday throughout the bitterly cold winter to call for Park’s ouster.

One band played a cover of Queen’s “We Are The Champions.”

“Today feels like a festival,” Mun Ha-neul, 17, said. “Everyone is feeling happy.”