Saturday Progressive and Conservative Counter-Rallies in Downtown Seoul

Yoon's Resignation and Lee's Arrest Chanted Separately
No Physical Clashes Occurred

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Kim] On Saturday the 18th, large-scale rallies by progressive and conservative groups were held in various parts of downtown Seoul, including near the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Candlelight Transition Action (Chotbul Haengdong), classified as a progressive group, held a rally condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration from 3 PM in front of the north gate of the War Memorial in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. After the preliminary rally, Chotbul Haengdong held a rally from 5 PM to 7 PM around Taepyeong-ro and Sungnyemun. The organizers estimated about 100,000 attendees, while the police estimated around 5,000.

Approximately 6,000 people, according to the organizers, gathered on Hangang-daero in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Participants held placards reading "Yoon Seok-yeol Resign," "Special Prosecutor for Kim Geon-hee," and "No Punishment Without Investigation," shouting slogans criticizing the prosecution's investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Conservative groups also held counter-rallies nearby. About 600 members of the New Freedom Solidarity held rallies at four locations near Samgakji Station from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. They carried placards saying "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," "Arrest Moon Jae-in," as well as American and Korean flags, shouting slogans such as "Destroy Communism" and "Yoon Seok-yeol is Doing Well."

Meanwhile, the progressive Democratic Citizen Candlelight Coalition held a "Prosecution Condemnation Rally" around 4 PM at Gangnam Station. In response, the conservative Liberty Unification Party held a rally from 1 PM to 4 PM on the sidewalk in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop.

Labor unions also held large-scale rallies that day. About 20,000 members (according to organizers) from the Incheon branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Gyeongin branch of the Construction Union held a preliminary rally starting at 1 PM from the Government Complex, Police Agency, and Bosingak, marching to the Sungnyemun rotary.