Two-Day Yoon Resignation Rally in Gwangju... "Protecting Democracy"

Armed Rally with 1,000 Participants at 5·18 Minju Plaza

At 7 p.m. on the 5th, citizens called for the resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol at the 2nd General Rally held at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square. Photo by Song Bohyun

A political rally demanding the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol was held for the second consecutive day in Gwangju.

The Gwangju Emergency Action for the Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime held the citizens' second general rally at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, starting at 7 p.m. on the 5th.

About 1,000 people, including local civic groups, labor unions, religious communities, and citizens, gathered at the site that day.

Despite the cold weather, just like the previous day, the expressions of the citizens were bright. A citizen met at the square said, "People gather where it is joyful. The political situation is serious, but we will never maintain a solemn attitude throughout."

They repeatedly shouted slogans such as "Protect democracy," "Arrest Yoon Seok-yeol," and "The People Power Party should support impeachment," while waving handmade placards.

At 7 p.m. on the 5th, during the 2nd General Rally held at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, a citizen is holding a hand placard urging the resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Song Bohyun

The first to take the stage that day was Oh Sung-in, a poet affiliated with the Gwangju-Jeonnam Writers' Association, who said, "Although I am not from the generation that experienced May 1980 during the martial law period, the horror of that day came to mind and kept me tossing and turning all night," adding, "History may regress, but citizens and the people must move forward. We must unite our hearts. The history of barbarism cannot continue here. This country belongs to the people, not the prosecutors or the military."

Speeches from the Democratic Party, the Jo Guk Progressive Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, the Justice Party, and the Green Party also followed.

Kim Young-nam, the Standing Vice Chairperson of the Democratic Party, said, "Democratic Party lawmakers are protecting the National Assembly and preparing for impeachment," and appealed, "The People Power Party has set opposition to impeachment as its party line, but we urge them to participate together."

Jo Yul, Chairperson of the University Student Committee of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, said, "'Three years is too long' was the effort to remove President Yoon, but now even that phrase has become a luxury," adding, "University students and our youth will take the lead in fighting. We will definitely win."

Kim Sun-mi, Environment Committee Chairperson of the Progressive Party, said, "Citizens should hold hands with acquaintances beside them and open this winter as a square of struggle. Please join us," adding, "We will turn the history we have built with our blood and sweat into an opportunity for a new country in a new square as a turning point."

On the afternoon of the 5th at 7 PM, ahead of the Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, members of the Gwangju May Mothers' Association are distributing rice balls and warm fish cake soup to citizens on site. Photo by Song Bohyun