Far-right Group Holds Rally in Mokpo, Jeonnam, the Sacred Place of Democracy

Save Korea Holds National Emergency Prayer Meeting on the 22nd
Focus on Opposing Yoon Suk-yeol's Impeachment and Criticizing the Opposition
Clashes as Some Citizens Say "This Should Not Happen"

Christian organization Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting at Mokpo Station Plaza at 2 p.m. on the 22nd, shouting against the impeachment of Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Seo Youngseo

A rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, organized by conservative groups, was held in Mokpo, a symbolic site for democracy in Jeollanam-do.

The Christian organization Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting at 2 p.m. on the 22nd at the Mokpo Station square.

According to the organizers, about 300 people gathered for the prayer meeting, which took the form of a religious service, but mainly focused on opposing the impeachment of President Yoon and criticizing the opposition party.

Im Chaeyoung, the head of the Honam branch of Save Korea, said, "Citizens of Mokpo, you must save this country," and added, "Lee Jaemyung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is turning the Republic of Korea into a communist country. He is ruining the country."

After the worship-style rally concluded, individual participants continued to speak.

Lee Hyunjin, secretary-general of the Jeonbuk Parents' Alliance, began by saying, "We call for the nullification of the impeachment, the dissolution of the Democratic Party, and the dissolution of the National Election Commission. This country cannot be conquered by China."

He continued, "Chinese forces are spreading everywhere and forming a united front," and argued, "In order to save the nation, we must step forward. This is following the will of President Syngman Rhee, the founder of free Korea."

As the atmosphere intensified, some people at the scene waved the Korean and American flags, raising their voices together and shouting, "Release the president."

At the rally, a citizen presumed to be a Christian protested to the organizers, saying, "People who believe in God should not act this way," causing a brief commotion.

The police deployed about 100 officers at the site and installed barricades throughout the event area, making every effort to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, there was strong criticism of the event from within the local community.

Kim Yungrok, governor of Jeollanam-do, criticized the event on his social media on the 20th, saying, "Do not defile Mokpo, the hometown of President Kim Daejung."

The Jeollanam-do branch of the Democratic Party also stated on the same day, "Mokpo Station is a sacred site of democracy in Jeollanam-do, where people called for the release of Kim Daejung and opposed martial law," adding, "A rally disguised as a national emergency prayer meeting to oppose impeachment is false agitation that mocks the people of Jeollanam-do."