"Complete Eradication of Treasonous Forces"... One Year Since Martial Law, Waves of Rallies Nationwide

On December 3, marking the one-year anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law, civic groups, political parties, and progressive organizations across the country held rallies and press conferences, calling for a complete purge of treasonous forces.

On this day, the Emergency Action Committee for the Purge of Treason and Social Reform (Emergency Action), which includes 1,741 progressive organizations, held the "December 3 Purge of Treason and Foreign Subversion, End of Treason, and Social Reform Citizens' March" in front of the National Assembly Station at 7 p.m.

On the evening of the 3rd, marking the one-year anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law, the "December 3 Martial Law 1 Year, Complete Purge of Treason, Social Reform Jeju Residents Rally" organized by the Action for the Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime and the Great Social Transformation of Korea Jeju was held on the road in front of Jeju City Hall. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to unofficial police estimates, 11,000 people attended the event, far exceeding the initially expected 3,000. President Lee Jaemyung, who had been scheduled to attend, was absent due to security concerns.

Citizens gathered at the scene held placards and chanted slogans such as "Purge of Treason." After concluding the rally at around 8:50 p.m., they marched to the People Power Party headquarters, about 1.5 kilometers away.

Rallies and press conferences were also held in various regions nationwide. The Gwangju Community for the Revolution of Light held a press conference at the May 18 Democracy Plaza, stating, "The complete purge of treasonous forces and major social reform is the path to a just Republic of Korea," and demanding, "Form an organization immediately to prepare for constitutional amendments to supplement the constitutional order and strengthen democracy."

In Suwon, Gyeonggi Candlelight Action held a rally in front of the People Power Party Gyeonggi Provincial Office, declaring, "One year of Yoon Seok-yeol regime's illegal martial law, the people who protected the National Assembly saved the country," and called for the dissolution of the People Power Party.

In Ulsan, the progressive Ulsan Headquarters for the Purge of Treason and Social Reform held a "Back to the Plaza of Light" rally at the Lotte Department Store Plaza, followed by a street march.

Additionally, in Daejeon, civic groups such as Daejeon Candlelight Action and the Alliance for Independent Reunification and Peace held a press conference urging the dissolution of the People Power Party. In the afternoon, the "Purge of Treason and Social Reform Daejeon Citizens' Rally," with participation from 46 organizations, was held. According to police estimates, about 800 people attended the rally.