Protesters gathered by the tens of thousands on Saturday in Seoul, divided into two camps that reflected a nation divided over its embattled president.

       One crowd shouted for the country’s top court to remove Yoon Suk Yeol, calling him “a ringleader of insurrection.” Separated from them by walls of police buses, another crowd chanted for him to be restored to office, with speakers calling his parliamentary impeachment fraudulent and warning of civil war if he was ousted.

       Never have the jitters run so high in South Korea before a court ruling as the country waits impatiently for the Constitutional Court to decide whether to uphold or reject the impeachment of Mr. Yoon. The walls of the court have been fortified with razor wire as the eight justices prepare the ruling, which could shape the future of the country’s democracy.

       The decision could help bring an end to the months of political turmoil Mr. Yoon unleashed on Dec. 3 with his failed attempt to place his country under martial law. Or it could push the country into a deeper political crisis.

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       South Koreans have grown weary of the prolonged political uncertainty and want the court to decide. But it has kept them on edge for weeks, giving no hint when its justices will deliver probably the most consequential ruling of their careers.

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       A compilation of screenshots of traffic camera video from Seoul’s Urban Traffic Information Center between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday shows how protesters gathered in central Seoul.CreditCredit...By Agnes Chang and Weiyi Cai

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