Gwangju Community Strongly Condemns Rally Opposing Yoon's Impeachment (Comprehensive)

Mayor Kang Gijung: "No Space for Far-Right Forces"
Various Sectors: "A Threat to Democracy... Incitement Must Stop"
10,000-Strong 'Anti-Impeachment' Rally Scheduled for the 15th

Gwangju Emergency Action held a rally titled "Gwangju Citizens' March of Remembrance and Solidarity" in front of Jeonil Building 245 on Geumnam-ro, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 4th of last month. Photo by Song Bohyun

The Gwangju local community has condemned the conservative group's rally against the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol to be held in Gwangju this weekend, stating, "We will never tolerate forces that support insurrection."

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, along with heads of various institutions and leaders of civic groups, held a press conference at the May 18 Democracy Square in Gwangju on the 13th under the title 'Response to the December 3 Martial Law and Insurrection Support Rally,' declaring, "There is no space here for anti-constitutional far-right forces inciting insurrection."

They continued, "The May 18 Democracy Square and the Geumnam-ro area are places where countless democratic citizens shed blood fighting against the atrocities of Chun Doo-hwan's coup forces," and shouted, "The anti-constitutional far-right forces must immediately stop inciting insurrection."

Citizens attending the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on December 14 last year at the special stage in Geumnamro, Donggu, Gwangju, are cheering while holding hand signs. Photo by Song Bohyun

On the same day, Gwangju city council members from the Democratic Party and independents issued a statement, saying, "We will never tolerate rallies by forces supporting insurrection." They emphasized, "We strongly condemn the attempt by insurrection-supporting forces to hold a rally in Gwangju, which destroys constitutional order and fosters division and conflict."

The council members stated, "May 18 Democracy Square is a historic site that inherits the spirit of citizens who fought for democracy in Korea," and added, "It is appalling that they claim to oppose the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol, the leader of the insurrection who destroyed constitutional order by illegally declaring martial law, in such a place."

They further argued, "The insurrection-supporting forces are distorting facts with conspiracy theories about election fraud and are fueling national division and social conflict with extreme remarks and violence," and added, "The mere fact that they plan to hold a rally at May 18 Democracy Square is a desecration of the May 18 spirit and an insult to democratic values."

Seo Wangjin, chairperson of the Gwangju branch of the Progressive Party and a city council member, also stated at the party's supreme council meeting that day, "Any act that defiles May 18 Democracy Square with anti-constitutional and anti-democratic language must be firmly dealt with," and added, "I will stand with the democratic citizens who uphold the spirit of Gwangju."

On the afternoon of the 8th, participants in the pro-impeachment rally against President Yoon Sukyeol, organized by the Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Sukyeol Regime and Social Reform, shouted slogans at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union also voiced its condemnation.

The Gwangju branch of the union stated in a press release, "Forty-five years ago, the Airborne Troops trampled Gwangju, and on December 3 last year, they surrounded the National Assembly in Yeouido, the sanctuary of public will. However, the demand to lift martial law was passed and martial law was lifted within five hours, so the horrific situation of 45 years ago did not recur." They continued, "However, the insurrection-supporting forces are causing further chaos by inciting riots at the Seoul Western District Court and overwhelming the May 18 Democracy Square, the sanctuary of democratic citizens."

They added, "In the name of Gwangju citizens, the Gwangju branch will not allow the insurrection-supporting forces to occupy Geumnam-ro," and emphasized, "We must prevent the ringleader who tried to monopolize power through illegal martial law and those supporting insurrection from setting foot in Gwangju."

On the afternoon of the 8th, the Protestant group Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting at Dongdaegu Station Plaza, urging opposition to the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol and calling for his release.

Meanwhile, on the 15th, large-scale rallies both for and against the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol by civic and conservative groups are scheduled to take place at May 18 Democracy Square and the Geumnam-ro area in Dong-gu, Gwangju, raising concerns about possible clashes.

On that day, the Save Korea National Emergency Prayer Meeting, organized by a conservative Christian group, will be held in the Geumnam-ro area of Dong-gu, Gwangju. It is known that Jeon Hangil, a Korean history lecturer who has expressed support for President Yoon, and Hwang Kyo-ahn, former Prime Minister, will attend the rally.

On the same day, a pro-impeachment rally by Gwangju Emergency Action will also be held.

At a press conference the previous day, Emergency Action stated, "There is a political calculation to attack Gwangju, the birthplace of the democratic spirit, in order to nullify the impeachment and removal of Yoon Suk-yeol and to lay the groundwork for uniting insurrection forces," and added, "The political intentions of the far-right insurrection forces will never succeed." They appealed, "We ask you to gather at Democracy Square and Geumnam-ro on the 15th to defend democracy in crisis and to pave the way for a new Korea through overwhelming solidarity."