[Breaking] Conservative and Progressive Groups Clash at Statue of Peace Rally

At around 7:50 PM on the 23rd, a physical confrontation occurred between members of conservative and progressive groups in front of the Girl Statue near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Earlier, a conservative group had reported a rally near the Girl Statue, raising concerns about potential clashes with opposing progressive groups. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] At around 7:50 PM on the 23rd, a physical clash occurred between conservative and progressive groups in front of the Statue of Peace located in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Police officers near the Statue of Peace immediately intervened to prevent the conflict between the two groups from escalating into a more dangerous situation.

Earlier, a conservative group had filed a permit to hold rallies in front of the Statue of Peace from the 24th until July 8th. As a result, the "Wednesday Demonstration" has had to change its rally location for the first time in 28 years.

In response, university students belonging to the "Ban Abe Ban Il Youth Joint Action" have been sitting around within a 2-meter radius of the Statue of Peace since midnight on the 23rd, tying themselves and the statue together with ropes in a sit-in protest, refusing to give up the space to the conservative group. Progressive citizens also gathered at the Statue of Peace that afternoon to continue holding rallies in support of the victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery.