Conflict Reignites Over Demand Protests as 'With Corona' Policy Begins

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] As restrictions on gatherings have eased following the phased recovery of daily life, conflicts between conservative and progressive groups surrounding the Justice and Memory Solidarity's (Jeonguiyeon) 'Wednesday Demonstrations' are reigniting.

On the 10th, Jeonguiyeon held the 1517th regular Wednesday Demonstration in front of the Yonhap News Agency building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The demonstration proceeded in a relatively calm atmosphere with about 30 participants. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the road, a picket protest was held by those demanding the removal of the Statue of Peace.

In front of the Statue of Peace at the former Japanese Embassy, the original location of Jeonguiyeon's Wednesday Demonstrations, conservative group Liberty Solidarity and the progressive group 'Anti-Japan Action,' which advocates for the liquidation of pro-Japanese forces, confronted each other. The previous day, Liberty Solidarity suddenly parked a truck in front of the statue, leading to a physical clash between the two groups. This standoff lasted from 5:40 a.m. the previous day until after 1 p.m. on the day of the demonstration.

This is not the first time the two sides have clashed. Since various allegations surrounding Jeonguiyeon and Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang began to surface last year, Liberty Solidarity started to occupy the demonstration site in front of the Statue of Peace, where Jeonguiyeon had held Wednesday Demonstrations for 28 years. In response, Anti-Japan Action staged a sit-in protest at the site occupied by Liberty Solidarity, vowing to protect the statue.

Although these conflicts seemed to subside when all gatherings and demonstrations were completely banned, they flared up again earlier this month when Liberty Solidarity began filing assembly notifications for the site in front of the statue where Jeonguiyeon has held Wednesday Demonstrations.

Liberty Solidarity filed complaints against 16 members of Anti-Japan Action on charges of obstructing assemblies and interfering with business related to the clashes in front of the statue during the Wednesday Demonstration on the 3rd.

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