Gwanghwamun Square on the Test... Progressive and Conservative Groups "Allow Assemblies" vs Citizens "Keep It a Public Space"

Conservative Group Rally in Front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop the Day Before... Unauthorized Entry into Gwanghwamun Plaza
Democratic Labor Union Rally in Downtown on the 13th... March to Yongsan Office
Progressive and Conservative Groups Want Gwanghwamun Plaza Rally Allowed... Citizens' Fatigue Increases

On the 15th, the "Freedom Unification Juche Faction Eradication 8.15 Ten Million People Rally" is being held on Sejong-daero, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] During the Liberation Day holiday, progressive and conservative groups held rallies in downtown Seoul. They demanded the freedom to hold rallies and demonstrations at Gwanghwamun Square, but the public's response was cold.

On the afternoon of the 15th, conservative groups including the Liberty Unification Party led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church held the "Liberty Unification Anti-Jusapa 8.15 Ten Million People Rally" in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. About 20,000 participants shouted slogans such as "Eradicate Jusapa" and "Oppose the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act."

Because the rally participants occupied the area around Sejong-daero and the sidewalks, traffic congestion and inconvenience to citizens increased. The police completely blocked vehicle traffic on Sejong-daero from City Hall Station to Sejong-daero Intersection starting around 3:40 p.m. the previous day for about an hour. Some participants illegally entered Gwanghwamun Square, waving the Taegeukgi flag and shouting slogans. When the police blocked some exits of Gwanghwamun Station and City Hall Station during this process, the participants reacted angrily, accusing the police of interfering with the rally.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) also held a rally in downtown Seoul on the first day of the Gwangbokjeol holiday. On the 13th, the KCTU held the "8.15 National Workers' Rally" in front of Sungnyemun Gate in Seoul. Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, called for the suspension of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" scheduled to begin on the 22nd, criticizing, "We cannot tolerate the Yoon Seok-yeol government that is pushing this country into the threat of war."

Despite the rainy weather, about 7,000 rally participants marched using four lanes from Seoul Station to the Yongsan Presidential Office. There were no physical clashes between the police and participants during the march. However, traffic congestion was inevitable due to the march occupying the roads in the rain.

Currently, based on the "Ordinance on the Use and Management of Gwanghwamun Square," the Seoul Metropolitan Government prohibits political rallies at Gwanghwamun Square, which reopened on the 6th. To hold an event at Gwanghwamun Square, organizers must undergo a review by the "Square Use Review Advisory Committee," composed of five experts on noise, traffic, and other factors. Additionally, it is known that the city is considering raising the usage fee for Gwanghwamun Square at the end of this month.

Both progressive and conservative groups criticize Seoul's policy. Participants in the conservative rally the previous day demanded permission for rallies and demonstrations on all lanes of Sejong-daero and at Gwanghwamun Square. They also voiced condemnation against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who restricts rallies and demonstrations. Progressive civic groups also expressed disagreement with Seoul's policy. In a statement, the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, "Gwanghwamun Square belongs to all citizens," and added, "The unconstitutional attempt to restrict freedom of assembly through the ordinance must be stopped."

However, citizens who feel fatigued by rallies at Gwanghwamun Square supported Seoul's policy. Jeong (29), who visited Gwanghwamun during the Liberation Day holiday, said, "The space for citizens has just opened, but within less than a month, inconvenience has increased due to rallies and demonstrations," adding, "If rallies and demonstrations continue one after another, it will be difficult to revisit Gwanghwamun Square."