Large-Scale Rallies for and against Yoon's Impeachment Held in Gwangju

Police to Install Barricades to Separate Rallies and Prevent Clashes

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

Large-scale rallies both supporting and opposing the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol by civic and conservative groups will take place at the May 18 Democracy Plaza and along Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju.

According to the Gwangju police and others on the 15th, the National Emergency Prayer Meeting organized by the conservative Christian group Save Korea will be held from 1 p.m. that day, while the 14th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally, organized by Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration and Social Reform (Gwangju Emergency Action), will take place from 4 p.m. on the same day along Geumnam-ro.

Jeon Hangil, a Korean history lecturer who is calling for opposition to Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, is scheduled to attend the National Emergency Prayer Meeting, and a crowd of more than 10,000 people is expected to gather.

In response, Gwangju Emergency Action, with lecturer Hwang Hyunpil in attendance, is also preparing with a goal of gathering 10,000 participants.

As concerns grow over possible clashes between the two groups over Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment along Geumnam-ro, the police plan to strengthen safety management.

About 20 riot police units will be deployed, with barricades and personnel stationed in front of the Heungkuk Fire Insurance Building to prevent clashes between participants from both rallies. In addition, a vehicle barricade will be set up near the May 18 Democracy Plaza to prevent physical altercations, and if tensions escalate at the separation point on Geumnam-ro, additional vehicle barricades will be deployed.

A police official stated, "We will do our best to guarantee each group's right to peaceful assembly and protest, but we will respond strictly to any illegal acts in accordance with the law and principles."