2,000 Gather on Geumnam-ro 'May Street' for March Honoring 'Remembrance' and 'Democracy'
"The square must be filled with the voices of citizens."
At 5 PM on the 4th, about 2,000 citizens gathered on the road in front of Jeonil Building 245, attaching black ribbons to "impeachment cheering sticks" to mourn the victims of the Jeju Air disaster.
The 9th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally, led by Gwangju Emergency Action?a coalition of 175 Gwangju civic groups?held a 30-minute assembly, followed by a march for "remembrance" and "democracy."
The rally began in a solemn and calm atmosphere. Participants observed a silent tribute in memory of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred on December 29 last year.
On the afternoon of the 4th, Gwangju Emergency Action held a rally titled "Memorial and Solidarity Gwangju Citizens' March" in front of Jeonil Building 245 on Geumnam-ro, Gwangju. Approximately 2,000 citizens participated wearing black-colored clothes and ribbons to express their condolences.
Park Mikyung, co-representative of Gwangju Emergency Action, who delivered the memorial address, said, "The whole nation is filled with sorrow due to the Jeju Air passenger plane accident. Most of the victims were citizens of Gwangju and Jeonnam, our neighbors. Let us create a safe social system without major disasters through a complete social reform."
She continued, "Until the day Yoon Sukyeol and his remnants are sent to prison, until the day the daily lives of sovereign citizens are safe and peaceful, the square must be filled with your voices."
On the afternoon of the 4th, Gwangju Emergency Action held a rally titled "Gwangju Citizens' March of Remembrance and Solidarity" in front of Jeonil Building 245 on Geumnamro, Gwangju. Approximately 2,000 citizens participated wearing black clothing and ribbons to express their condolences. After the rally, the attendees marched around the Geumnamro area. Photo by Song Bohyun
The march that followed the rally started with a banner reading "Beyond the Night of Rebellion 2025, Toward the Spring of Korea! Arrest and Detain Yoon Sukyeol! Disband the Insurrectionist People Power Party!" The march proceeded from the assembly site through Geumnamno 4-ga Station, Dongmyeong-dong Intersection, Chungjangno 1-ga Intersection, and returned to the May 18 Democratic Square.
Participants repeatedly chanted, "Immediately arrest and detain the ringleader of insurrection, Yoon Sukyeol!" in response to the host's slogans. Some citizens watching from the bus stop cheered and applauded, lending their support.
Lee Junghyun (35), a citizen bundled up in a thick padded jacket, said, "With the declaration of martial law on December 3 and the plane disaster happening one after another, I welcomed the new year with a heavy heart. Seeing that Yoon Sukyeol has not been arrested leaves me feeling devastated," expressing his frustration.
Kang Heesu (24, female), holding a hand sign reading "Disband the People Power Party Immediately" and a hot pack, said, "Watching the current state of affairs, I know it sounds grand, but I've started to ask myself, 'What is a nation?' Although I'm busy preparing for employment, I will continue to participate in weekend rallies until we achieve a better world."
Meanwhile, Emergency Action announced that they plan to hold rallies every Saturday at the May 18 Democratic Square and Geumnamno until the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment of President Yoon.
Gwangju Emergency Action held a rally titled "Memorial and Solidarity Gwangju Citizens' March" on the afternoon of the 4th in front of Jeonil Building 245 on Geumnam-ro, Gwangju. About 2,000 citizens participated wearing black-colored clothes and ribbons to express their condolences. The attendees shouted slogans demanding, "Immediately arrest and detain the traitor Yoon Seokyeol." Photo by Song Bohyun
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