"Declare Your Position on the Rebellion"... Citizens and Police Confront at Rep. Park Su-young's Office (Summary)

Thousands of Busan citizens calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol gathered at the local office of Park Soo-young, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the Busan branch of the People Power Party, to stage a protest sit-in.

On the afternoon of the 28th, thousands of Busan citizens demanding President Yoon's impeachment and the dissolution of the People Power Party held a protest rally in front of Park's local office in Nam-gu, Busan.

Inside view of the office of Park Su-young, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

The citizens waved placards with slogans such as "Impeach and Arrest Yoon Suk-yeol" and "Dissolve the People Power Party," urging impeachment. Inside Park's office and on the stairs, about 60 people occupied the space and held a sit-in protest.

The protest began around 11 a.m. that day when about 30 citizens visited Park's local office demanding a statement on the issue of rebellion. At that time, it was reported that an event held weekly by Park to meet with local residents was underway at the office.

Park's side requested police assistance when these citizens arrived at the local office. As the police tried to block their entry, a standoff lasted for about 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Later, about 1,000 citizens from the "Busan Citizens' Rally for the Arrest and Dismissal of Yoon Suk-yeol," held in Seomyeon, joined the protest, further increasing its scale. Currently, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions estimates that about 3,000 citizens have gathered in front of Park's office. Park's side estimated the number of protesters at around 1,700.

As the protest escalated, the People Power Party expressed its intention to investigate the situation regarding the occupation of the local office. Park Soo-min, the party's floor spokesperson, stated in a comment that "about 70 protesters, according to the office's estimate, stormed and occupied the office, and about 1,700 people are surrounding the building outside," pointing out that this constitutes the crimes of joint trespassing under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes, violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstruction of official duties, and obstruction of business.

He added, "The People Power Party strongly urges a thorough investigation of the current situation and will hold accountable the forces that have politically used the citizens of Busan as a front."