Rally for Former President Park Held Despite New Coronavirus Infection Concerns
Some Supporters Fully Equipped with Protective Suits and Goggles... Some Attend Without Masks
Urgency for Former President Park's Release Outweighs Infection Fears
Despite concerns over the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) infection, supporters of former President Park Geun-hye are passing through the road near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 2nd. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Coronavirus? I don't care whether I get it or not."
On the afternoon of the 2nd, Ms. A (70, female), a supporter of former President Park Geun-hye, whom we met in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said about the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) sweeping the world recently, "The release of President Park Geun-hye is more urgent."
Ms. A, who revealed that she has been volunteering with the Our Republican Party's food truck for a year, said, "Not only me, but people who support President Park Geun-hye don't care about infectious diseases," adding, "I just hope (former President Park Geun-hye) will be released as soon as possible." She continued, "It takes half a day to prepare the food truck," but added, "I do it because I like it."
Meanwhile, Mr. B (52), who was selling Taegeukgi flags and badges related to former President Park nearby, also showed no concern about the novel coronavirus. He emphasized, "I am not afraid of (infectious disease infection). All supporters of former President Park are the same."
He stated that he has been attending rallies held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul for four years this year and reiterated, "Even if something scarier than coronavirus happens, I definitely plan to attend the rallies."
On the afternoon of the 2nd, supporters of former President Park Geun-hye gathered in front of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno, Seoul, to have a meal. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr
Mr. C, 62 years old, who was near Mr. B, also said, "We come out every day," and firmly stated, "We don't need to wear masks. We are not worried." He added, "I hope former President Park will be released soon."
Meanwhile, Mr. D, a supporter of former President Park in his 60s whom we met near Daehanmun at City Hall, also emphasized, "We come out risking our lives," and said, "That's how desperate we are."
He raised his voice, saying, "I hope the Moon Jae-in government handles this infectious disease well, but it seems they are not doing so. They should quickly block Chinese people from coming to our country."
Mr. E, in his 50s, who said he attended the rally that day, also expressed frustration, saying, "There are many talks about the novel coronavirus, but compared to the situation Korea is facing now, it is nothing." He emphasized, "I plan to continue attending rallies today and tomorrow."
On the afternoon of the 2nd, President Park Geun-hye's birthday, participants at a conservative group rally held in front of Namdaemun in Seoul are demanding the release of former President Park. [Image source=Yonhap News]
A conservative-leaning group's rally praying for former President Park's innocence and release was also held the day before (the 1st).
The Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon), led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation (Han Ki-chong), held the 'National Rally to Set Korea Right' at Gwanghwamun Square from 12 noon that day.
Also, conservative-leaning groups such as the Taegeukgi Revolution National Rally and the Free Korea Patriotic Corps held rallies in front of Seoul City Hall and Gwanghwamun Square in the afternoon.
Most rally participants wore masks. Some participants attended the rally wearing protective suits and goggles. On the other hand, some participants came to the rally without masks at all.
They shouted slogans like "Moon Jae-in Resign" and urged the release of former President Park. Participants mostly filled six lanes and the southern plaza of Gwanghwamun from Sejong-daero Intersection to the King Sejong statue, a distance of about 300 meters.
Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 2nd, three new cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed the previous day (the 1st), increasing the total confirmed cases to 15. The 13th Korean patient (28, male) was one of 368 returnees who came back on a temporary flight on January 31 and was quarantined at the National Medical Center.
The 14th Chinese patient (40, female) was a family member of the 12th patient and was under self-quarantine; an epidemiological investigation is currently underway. The 15th Korean patient (43, male) entered from Wuhan City on January 20 (KE882 at 4:25 PM) and was under active monitoring; he showed mild cold symptoms from the 1st and tested positive after examination.
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