"Where Do They Think They Are..." Kang Gi-jung and Kim Young-rok Condemn Pro-Yoon and Anti-Yoon Rallies

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong (left) and Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok.

The governors of Gwangju and Jeonnam condemned the rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 16th.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung expressed his gratitude on his Facebook that day, saying, "Thank you to the citizens who protected the May 18 Democracy Plaza and Geumnam-ro," and added, "I appreciate your orderly and mature response."

He continued, "The citizens' chant, 'How dare you come here!' was clear," and emphasized, "There will never be a time when the plaza is taken over by those who condone rebellion."

Jeonnam Governor Kim Yeongrok also stated on the same day, "We must hold accountable those who incite rebellion and trample on the Constitution." He further argued, "Today, justice and the rule of law in Korea are collapsing, and the democracy achieved through the bloodshed of Gwangju and Jeonnam is under threat."

He stressed, "We cannot stand by or remain silent in the face of inciting rebellion and violating the Constitution," and added, "We must hold the shameless forces who undermine constitutional order strictly accountable."

Finally, he said, "Injustice cannot defeat justice," and added, "With the righteous struggle of the people of Gwangju and Jeonnam, we must achieve victory."

On the afternoon of the 15th, in Geumnamro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, rallies supporting (left photo) and opposing (right photo) the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol were held on either side of a police bus barricade. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the previous day, simultaneous rallies both supporting and opposing President Yoon's impeachment were held in Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju.

On that day, the conservative Protestant group Save Korea held an anti-impeachment rally in the Geumnam-ro 3~5-ga section, while Gwangju Emergency Action held a pro-impeachment rally in the Geumnam-ro 1~3-ga section. The police installed a vehicle barricade about 100 meters long between the central stages of the two rallies to completely prevent any possible clashes between participants from both sides.