Yoon Enlightened the People with the Gye Mong Ryeong... Jeon Hangil Visits Gwangju

Over 10,000 Gather in Gwangju's Geumnam-ro Area on the 15th
"We Must End the History of Regional Conflict Beyond Division"

A large-scale rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol was held on June 15 in the Geumnam-ro area of Gwangju.

The National Emergency Prayer Meeting, organized by the conservative Protestant group Save Korea in the afternoon, drew a crowd estimated by police to exceed 10,000 people.

Han Gil Jeon, Korean history instructor. On the 15th, Jeon raised his voice at the National Emergency Prayer Meeting hosted by the conservative Protestant organization Save Korea, saying, "Release President Yoon, who awakened the people through the enlightenment spirit." YouTube capture

YouTube capture

Participants began gathering in small groups about an hour before the event, filling the streets with placards opposing President Yoon's impeachment.

Some waved the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes, chanting, "Release President Yoon!" throughout the area.

Mr. Song (59), who came from Changwon, Gyeongnam, said, "I came because I heard an anti-impeachment rally was being held in Gwangju," adding, "As this grave situation continues, I hope we can soon return to being a normal country."

Son Hyunbo, pastor of Busan Saegero Church and a speaker at the event, emphasized, "Citizens of Gwangju, you must save this country," and added, "If the will of the people is ignored, we must take up the rod."

On the afternoon of the 15th, the conservative Protestant group Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting in the Geumnamro area of Gwangju, opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol and calling for his release. Photo by Song Bohyun

Jeon Hangil, a Korean history lecturer who took the stage next, began by saying, "I wore a red shirt today to honor the Gwangju citizens who, 45 years ago, gathered here on Geumnam-ro, shed blood, and sacrificed themselves to achieve democratization against military dictatorship."

He continued, "There is a saying, 'Freedom is not free,'" adding, "The reason we can enjoy liberal democracy today is thanks to the sacrifices of the righteous citizens of Gwangju who fought against military dictatorship in May 1980."

Jeon stressed, "We must unite not in conflict and division, but in integration and harmony," and added, "Let us end the history of regional conflict as of today. Let us pass on a unified Korea to our 2030 generation and future generations."

He raised his voice, saying, "Release President Yoon, who awakened the people through the Gye Mong Ryeong."

On the afternoon of the 15th, in front of Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, and around Geumnam-ro, citizens are shouting slogans at the 14th 'Gwangju Citizens' General Rally' held by Gwangju Emergency Action, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol and the eradication of internal rebellion forces. Photo by Song Bohyun

Meanwhile, in contrast to the anti-impeachment rally, a pro-impeachment rally for President Yoon was held about 100 meters away at 5.18 Democracy Square and along Geumnam-ro, gathering at 3 p.m. and continuing from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. With citizens from all over the country joining, more than 10,000 people were expected to attend. An Emergency Action official stated, "As of 4:30 p.m., we estimate about 20,000 participants."

To prevent clashes, police deployed 20 units totaling 1,200 officers, including four riot squads from the Gwangju Police Agency and 16 additional squads from Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Chungnam, and Chungbuk police stations. Police lines, fences, and barricades were set up around the rally sites and in nearby alleys, and police buses were used to restrict vehicle and pedestrian traffic. A police official stated, "We will do our utmost to prevent clashes and maintain order."