SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans flooded a square in central Seoul again Saturday night even after the bill to impeach President Park Geun-hye was overwhelmingly passed through the National Assembly the previous day.
Instead of being satisfied with the impeachment driven by people power, protesters demanded Park be imprisoned for her wrongdoings and immediately step down to stabilize state affairs.
Organizers estimated about 800,000 people rallied in Seoul, with a turnout of 240,000 in other major cities. On Dec. 2, the last Saturday ahead of the impeachment vote, a record 2.32 million participated in candlelit vigils nationwide.
The number fell, but calls got stronger for the punishment of Park and her allies as the nationally-televised hearings in the parliament earlier this week showed neither contrition nor confession.
Parody and satire were rife, while peaceful and festive mood lasted. Movie posters were found on the streets to parody President Park and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil as well as Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong in handcuffs and prison uniform.
Slogans to denounce heads of "chaebol" conglomerates increased as nine chaebol chiefs, including Lee and Chung, were grilled by lawmakers in the hearings.
The hearings reminded viewers of the deep-rooted links between politicians and businessmen, prompting protesters on the streets to chant "Dismantle chaebols."
The impeachment motion was passed by 234 votes to 56, drawing support from almost half of 128 members of the ruling Saenuri Party. It may become a huge pressure on the impeached president as it indicates even her own party wants her removed from office.
Park was stripped of executive powers, which were handed to Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, but her permanent removal requires the two-thirds ratification by the nine-judge constitutional court that can have up to 180 days to rule on it.
Protesters are still wary of the court's ruling as many of the conservative-leaning justices were appointed by President Park and her predecessor, and also close to the governing party. People said mass rallies should continue until the final conclusion is reached in the court.
On a cold winter night below zero temperature, people gathered around the Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, just over a kilometer away from the presidential Blue House where Park's office and residence are located.
Before an official function kicked off at 6 p.m. local time, a crocodile of demonstrators marched up to 100 meters away from the presidential office. They surrounded Park's office in three sides and shouted "Imprison Park Geun-hye," "Down with Park Geun-hye" and "Cabinet, resign en bloc."
In addition to the forming of so-called "human chain" near the Blue House, a lights-out event was re-enacted. It is aimed to encourage people watching the rallies on TV to indirectly join the outside protest by turning off lights for a minute in offices and apartments simultaneously.
Demonstrators staged a second march to the Blue House, before returning back to the square to allow people to make free speeches on state affairs.
