On Sunday, the snow lies like a blanket over the capital. Despite this, thousands of demonstrators from both sides have gathered in front of the suspended president's residence in Seoul.
One group demands that the suspended President Yoon Suk-Yeol be arrested, while the other demands that the impeachment process against Yoon be declared invalid.
Snow no obstacle
Snow is nothing to me. They can bring all the snow and we will still be here, said Lee Jin-Ah, 28, who previously worked at a café.
She wants to see the former president put on trial.
I quit my job to come here and protect our country and our democracy, she says.
Demonstrator Park Young-Chul, in his 70s, says the snowstorm will not stop him from showing up and supporting Yoon.
I went through war and minus 20 degrees in the snow to fight against communists. This snow is nothing. Our war is on again, he says.
Late on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also expected to arrive in Seoul for talks with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul on Monday.
Trial date set
On Friday, an attempt to arrest Yoon failed. After a six-hour standoff, investigators and police decided to abort the operation due to security risks.
The Constitutional Court has set January 14 as the start date for Yoon's impeachment trial, which will proceed regardless of the president's presence.
The suspended leader plans to attend "a suitable session" of the trial's five hearings.
South Korea's Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether Yoon should be removed as president or regain his powers.
Until then, Yoon holds the title of president, while being suspended.
