Around 20,000 Citizens Gather on Geumnam-ro in Gwangju on the 15th
Hwang Hyunpil and Jeon Hangil Attend Rallies, Representing Both Sides
Police Set Up Vehicle Barricades to Completely Prevent Clashes
On the afternoon of the 15th, citizens shouted slogans at the 14th "Gwangju Citizens' General Rally" held by Gwangju Emergency Action in the Geumnam-ro area in front of Jeonil Building 245, Dong-gu, Gwangju, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol and the eradication of internal rebellion forces. Photo by Song Bohyun
The area around Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju, a historic site of the May 18 Democratization Movement, was divided in two by large-scale rallies both supporting and opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration and Social Reform, a coalition of about 180 civic groups from Gwangju and Jeonnam, held the 14th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally from 4 p.m. on the 15th at the May 18 Democracy Plaza and the surrounding Geumnam-ro area.
According to the organizers, about 20,000 citizens participated in the rally that day.
Participants at the rally held placards with phrases such as "Immediate Dismissal of Yoon Suk-yeol," "Dissolve the People Power Party for Conspiring in Rebellion," and "Punish the Forces Supporting the Coup," gathering in front of the stage to urge the Constitutional Court to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon.
At the 14th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on the 15th at 5·18 Democracy Square and the Geumnamro area in Dong-gu, Gwangju, the Yoon Seokyeol Regime Immediate Resignation and Social Reform Gwangju Emergency Action, consisting of over 180 civic groups from Gwangju and Jeonnam, gathered. Korean history instructor Hwang Hyunpil is speaking. Photo by Min Chanki
On the rally stage, Korean history lecturer Hwang Hyunpil said, "When he was in high school, Yoon Sangwon, a martyr, told his father, 'Even if I go to a good university, will the world change?' and stayed at the Jeonnam Provincial Office on May 27, 1980," adding, "During May 18, the martyrs defended democracy at the Jeonnam Provincial Office and around Geumnam-ro. For those who support martial law and the leaders of the rebellion to rally on this blood-soaked Geumnam-ro is like Nazi sympathizers holding a rally at the site of the Holocaust."
He continued, "Far-right extremism is said to arise from a mix of nationalism and totalitarianism that only pursues its own national interests, but these people follow those who massacred their own people, so they cannot be called far-right. They are traitorous zombies that cannot be killed, no matter how much you try."
He also insisted, "If Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment is dismissed, we will have to live in fear of martial law. Even if martial law is not declared for two years, if it looks like the government will transfer to the Democratic Party, they will start a war."
He further emphasized, "'Yakmuhonamsimugukga'?without Honam, there is no nation," and added, "Looking back at history, Gwangju has never once strayed from justice."
Earlier, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Save Korea, a conservative Protestant group, held a National Emergency Prayer Meeting in the area, drawing more than 10,000 people according to police estimates.
Participants began gathering in small groups an hour before the event, filling the streets with placards opposing the impeachment of President Yoon.
Some could be seen waving the Korean and American flags, shouting, "Release President Yoon."
Mr. Song (59), who came from Changwon, Gyeongnam, said, "I came because there was an anti-impeachment rally in Gwangju," and added, "I hope the country will soon return to normal amid these serious times."
Han Gil Jeon, a Korean history instructor. On the 15th, Jeon raised his voice at the National Emergency Prayer Meeting hosted by the conservative Protestant group Save Korea, saying, "Release President Yoon, who awakened the people through the enlightenment spirit." YouTube capture
Korean history lecturer Jeon Hangil, who took the stage, began by saying, "I am wearing a red shirt today to express my determination not to forget the Gwangju citizens who gathered here on Geumnam-ro 45 years ago, shedding blood and making sacrifices to achieve democratization against military dictatorship."
He continued, "There is a saying, 'Freedom is not free.' The reason we enjoy liberal democracy today is thanks to the sacrifices of the righteous citizens of Gwangju who fought against military dictatorship in May 1980."
Jeon emphasized, "We must unite not through conflict and division, but through integration and harmony. Let us end the history of regional conflict starting today. Let us pass on a united Republic of Korea to our 2030 generation and future generations."
He also raised his voice, saying, "Release President Yoon, who awakened the people through his enlightenment decree."
At the 14th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held by the Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Seokyeol Regime and Social Reform in the Geumnam-ro area of Dong-gu, the police blocked the road connecting the two rallies as clashes continued with participants of the Save Korea National Emergency Prayer Meeting. Photo by Min Chanki
As large-scale rallies both supporting and opposing impeachment were held around Geumnam-ro at similar times, police installed a wall of vehicles about 100 meters long between the two main stages to completely prevent possible clashes between the two groups of participants.
During the rallies, a participant from the Save Korea rally crossed over to the pro-impeachment rally area, causing tension by shouting slogans such as "Arrest Lee Jaemyung," "Oppose Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment," and "May 18 was a riot," but the situation was resolved by police intervention.
Although there were no major physical clashes until the rallies ended, as disputes continued, police temporarily blocked the road connecting the two rallies.
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