Weekend Rallies Across Downtown Seoul... Traffic Congestion Inevitable

On the afternoon of the 26th, a candlelight rally condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration was held around Sungnyemun in Taepyeong-ro, Seoul, hosted by the Candlelight Transition Action. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] On the weekend of the 26th, rallies were held in various parts of downtown Seoul. Traffic congestion inevitably occurred as marches took place on the roads.

At around 12:30 PM that day, the National People's Action held the '2022 Independent Peace Rally' on three lanes in front of the Samgakji Police Box in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. They marched to Seoul Station using two lanes of Hangang-daero, demanding the abolition of the Korea-US alliance, among other things.

At around 2:30 PM, the Seoul branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Seoul People's Action, and Seoul Beyond held the '2022 Seoul People's Rally' in front of City Hall. They marched from Seoul Station to Seoul City Hall using two lanes of Sejong-daero. At this rally, the groups criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, saying, "They do not take responsibility despite ongoing disasters and accidents," and "They consistently pursue anti-labor and anti-citizen policies."

At around 4 PM, the progressive group 'Candlelight Victory Transition Action' held the '16th Candlelight March Rally' around Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. They demanded the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and a special investigation into First Lady Kim Geon-hee, and also established the '10.29 Disaster Bereaved Families Countermeasures Headquarters' to urge the government to take responsibility for the Itaewon disaster. Unlike the 15th rally on the 19th, which marched to the Yongsan Presidential Office, the Candlelight Victory Transition Action plans to return to Sungnyemun via Myeongdong Station, Jonggak Station, and Insadong.

Conservative groups also held counter-rallies. The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, held the 'Freedom and Unification Anti-Jusapa Rally' at around 2 PM in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop near Gwanghwamun Square. The Liberty Unification Party blocked three lanes from Donghwa Duty Free Shop to the Seoul City Council and continued their rally. Additionally, Shinja Solidarity has been holding a rally since around 5 PM in front of Samgakji Station near the Presidential Office. However, since the Candlelight Victory Transition Action did not march near the Presidential Office, no clashes between conservative and progressive groups are expected.

Rallies to commemorate the Itaewon disaster were also held in various locations. Religious organizations such as the Anglican Justice and Peace Priests Group, the Jesuit Human Rights Solidarity Research Center, the Jogye Order Social Labor Committee, and the Won Buddhism Committee held a 'Prayer Meeting of Mourning and Solidarity and Candlelight Rally' at around 5 PM in the square in front of Noksapyeong Station. They emphasized the state's responsibility for the Itaewon disaster and urged the government to fulfill the demands of the bereaved families and victims together with citizens.

Traffic congestion due to the rallies was inevitable. According to the Seoul City Traffic Information System, vehicle speeds in downtown Seoul remained around 10 km/h that afternoon. The police deployed officers in the rally and march areas to manage traffic, including vehicle detours.