First Weekend Rally Since With Corona...Traffic Congestion in Various Areas

On the 6th, participants hold placards at the Global Climate Justice Action held in front of Marronnier Park in Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] On the 6th, the first weekend after the transition to With Corona, participants in rallies and protests gathered in downtown Seoul, including Gwanghwamun. On that day, about 20 organizations totaling around 3,000 people had reported plans to hold rallies, and participants took their places throughout the city center.

The Ten Million Innocent Release Headquarters gathered about 1,200 people around Taepyeong-ro in Jung-gu, demanding the nullification of former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment and her release.

At the Climate Crisis Emergency Action, about 350 people gathered in front of Seoul National University Hospital in Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, demanding the government implement more aggressive carbon reduction policies.

In addition, about 200 people from various conservative groups held rallies and protests in Jongno-gu and Jung-gu downtown areas, bringing approximately 1,800 people to the city center and causing traffic congestion in several places. Around 100 people also gathered for rallies and protests in the Gangnam area.

Officials from the Taegukgi Revolution National Movement Headquarters are holding a rally for "Nullification of Impeachment, Restoration of Rule of Law, Return of President Park Geun-hye" in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Besides Jongno-gu and Jung-gu, where rallies were held, there were some traffic jams in Yeongdeungpo, Mok-dong, Mapo, Seongsu, Sadang, and most parts of Gangnam.

Until now, rallies and protests except for one-person demonstrations were banned throughout Seoul to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but with the phased return to normal life starting on the 1st of this month, gatherings of up to 499 people became possible if participants were fully vaccinated or had a negative test result.

Accordingly, the number of reported rallies and protests in Seoul surged from 44 cases last month to 293 cases from the 1st to the 5th of this month alone.

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