Amid Assembly Ban, Jeonguiyeon and Jayuyonda Choose 'Press Conference'... Wednesday Demonstrations Continue (Comprehensive)

On the 8th, citizens participating in the '1447th Regular Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Issue' held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are urging the Japanese government to issue an official apology. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Amid the complete ban on rallies around the Peace Statue in front of the former Japanese Embassy, where the weekly Wednesday demonstrations by the Justice and Memory Solidarity (Jeonguiyeok) and conservative group rallies were held simultaneously, both sides are continuing their gatherings in the form of 'press conferences.'

On the 8th, Jeonguiyeok held the 1447th regular Wednesday demonstration in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu. Lee Na-young, director of Jeonguiyeok, stated in the progress report of the Wednesday demonstration, "Those who have never held Japan, the perpetrator country, accountable nor listened to or empathized with the victims' appeals are selectively excerpting and distorting the statements of the parties involved, using them as a blade to completely deny the 30-year history of the movement carried out by victims and activists together."

Director Lee added, "Among them is the Korean media, and some media outlets have been recklessly crossing between unintentional ignorance and malicious intent, dividing victims and activists, bereaved families and activists, support groups and organizations," and criticized the media's reporting behavior, saying, "Media companies that do not even undergo proper citizen oversight or tax audits have lost even the minimum sense of balance, flooding out 'flexible language disguised as news' and sanctifying their own 'freedom of expression' as a sanctuary."

Peace Art Action Dureok, which organized this Wednesday demonstration, also stated in a press release, "It is possible to raise issues with Jeonguiyeok's management methods and to express differing opinions on the direction of the Japanese military sexual slavery victim movement," but added, "However, we must firmly confront fake news and unreasonable suspicions."

As Jongno-gu designated the area around the Peace Statue as a rally prohibited zone, the demonstration on this day was held as a press conference without the need for prior notification, with about 10 Jeonguiyeok officials participating. Earlier, Jongno-gu announced that from the 3rd until the infectious disease crisis alert level 'Severe' is lifted, all rallies around the Peace Statue in Jongno-gu would be completely banned. Before the Wednesday demonstration began, Jeonguiyeok checked the identities of the gathered press and conducted temperature checks one by one. Despite Jeonguiyeok's discouragement, citizens supporting the Wednesday demonstration also gathered on site.

On the 8th, citizens participating in the '1447th Regular Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Issue' held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are urging the Japanese government to issue an official apology. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The conservative group Liberty Solidarity also chose the press conference format and held a counter-rally to the left of the Peace Statue. However, since gatherings with the nature of rallies could be considered unreported rallies disguised as press conferences, both sides held their gatherings on a relatively smaller scale than usual.

The police deployed about 300 officers around the Peace Statue area to prepare for any possible clashes between the two sides. Before the rally started, multiple announcements were made requesting the organizers to control the crowd to prevent large gatherings in line with the purpose of the press conferences.

As the two groups continued their previous rallies in the form of press conferences, the conflict between the two sides, which was expected to subside due to the rally ban, continued for some time. The confrontation between Jeonguiyeok and Liberty Solidarity has been ongoing for over a month since various allegations surrounding Jeonguiyeok and Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang began to surface. Every week, both groups have held simultaneous rallies around the Peace Statue where the Wednesday demonstrations take place, causing conflicts. Liberty Solidarity has occupied the rally spot in front of the Peace Statue where Jeonguiyeok held Wednesday demonstrations for 28 years, and even the relocated spot, moved reluctantly, has been occupied by another conservative group, continuing the struggle for space.

Meanwhile, a university student group is staging a sit-in protest at the rally site occupied by Liberty Solidarity, vowing to protect the Peace Statue from conservative groups. Liberty Solidarity plans to file complaints with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office against this group and others, including the Jongno District Mayor, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief, and the Jongno Police Station Chief, on charges of abuse of authority and neglect of duty following the press conference on this day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.