Temporary No-Stop at Gwanghwamun Station
Crowds Cause Traffic Disruptions
A large-scale rally opposing the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act, hosted by Protestant groups, caused significant inconvenience to citizens.
On the afternoon of the 27th, the 'Korean Church 2 Million United Worship and Great Prayer Meeting Organizing Committee,' an independent Protestant group, held a rally near Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage and the enactment of anti-discrimination laws. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 27th, News1 reported that from 1 p.m., a large-scale rally against the legalization of same-sex marriage and the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act, hosted by Protestant groups, took place around Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun, and Yeouidaero, causing great inconvenience to citizens. In addition to the noise from the rally, some subway entrances were controlled to disperse the crowds, which increased confusion among citizens.
Citizens attending the rally hosted by the Korea Christian Federation gathered at the rally site holding placards with messages such as "Ban the Anti-Discrimination Act that promotes reverse discrimination against the majority." Separately, near the Dongwha Duty-Free Shop on Sejong-daero, the nationwide Sunday joint worship service of Sarang Jeil Church was also held.
As a large crowd gathered around Gwanghwamun Square, the police installed barricades in various locations to prevent safety accidents and temporarily closed some entrances of Gwanghwamun Station. For safety reasons, trains at one point passed through Gwanghwamun Station without stopping.
Because of this, some citizens expressed discomfort. Mr. Kang (35) complained to the police, "Which entrance should I use to take the subway?" and said, "My appointment time is approaching, but this is very inconvenient." While the police were installing barricades on the crosswalk, pedestrians trying to cross the street frowned. Inside Gwanghwamun Station, subway staff continuously guided passage, but in the crowded situation, citizens kept asking, "Which exit can I use?"
On the afternoon of the 27th, the 'Korean Church 2 Million United Worship and Great Prayer Meeting Organizing Committee,' an independent Protestant group, held a rally near Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage and the enactment of anti-discrimination laws. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Above all, citizens expressed discomfort due to the noise and provocative messages. Some citizens hurriedly walked away covering their ears, while others felt puzzled by political content unrelated to the rally's theme. Throughout the rally, the police noise measurement vehicle's electronic display in front of Gwanghwamun Station showed 90dB (decibels). Chronic exposure to 80dB (train noise) can cause hearing impairment, 90dB (noisy factory) can cause occupational hearing loss, and 100dB (jackhammer) can cause acute hearing damage.
Meanwhile, the rally organizing committee criticized the Supreme Court ruling in July that granted same-sex partners the same status as spouses for health insurance benefits, stating, "We will fight against the enactment of evil laws like the Anti-Discrimination Act." Although the number of registered participants was about 600,000 as of 5 p.m. on the 26th, the organizers estimated that about 1 million people attended the rally, including unregistered participants. The goal of this rally, which involved the majority of Korean churches such as the Korea Christian Federation and the Korea Presbyterian Federation, as well as 120 civic groups, was to block the legalization of same-sex marriage and the Anti-Discrimination Act and to raise 20 billion won in donations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
