Protests Across the City Amid Heatwave... Yongsan Line "Stop the Hanmi Joint Military Exercises"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Various rallies were held across downtown Seoul over the weekend amid the continuing hot weather.

At around 3 p.m. on the 6th, the National People's Action held a "Resolution Rally to Stop the ROK-US Joint War Exercises" in front of the War Memorial in Yongsan-gu. The organizers estimated about 400 attendees, while the police estimated around 250. The group claimed that the ROK-US joint exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield," starting on the 22nd of this month, is escalating the war crisis on the Korean Peninsula. They held a "Unification Vanguard Launch Ceremony" and announced they would continue their protest against the ROK-US joint exercises. The police deployed about 400 officers from nine riot squads to prepare for physical clashes.

Seoul Voice held a "Rally Condemning the Protection Remarks of the Yangsan Rally" from around 2 p.m. in front of the Seoul Central District Court Annex 1 in Seocho-gu and marched back and forth near Gyodae Station.

Near Gwanghwamun, conservative groups held successive rallies. The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held a "National Rally for Ten Million Signatures for Freedom and Unification" around 1 p.m. in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Jongno-gu. The Taegeukgi Revolution National Movement Headquarters (Gukbon) held a "National Rally to Nullify the April 15 Fraudulent Election and Condemn the COVID-19 National Deception" from around 2 p.m. in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in Jung-gu, shouting slogans such as "Nullify Impeachment, Abolish the Murder Vaccine," and marched through the streets. The organizers estimated about 200 participants who started from the council, passed Boshingak and Sungnyemun, and returned.

Traffic congestion occurred throughout Seoul’s roads. On the same day at 11 a.m., Gwanghwamun Square reopened after 1 year and 9 months following renovation, attracting crowds that worsened traffic jams. According to the Seoul City Traffic Information System, as of 3:30 p.m., the average vehicle speed in downtown was 17.6 km/h, while the overall average speed in Seoul was 21.2 km/h.