Conservative Groups Hold Rally Around Gwanghwamun... Traffic Congestion Causes Increased Citizen Inconvenience

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] A conservative group held a large-scale rally around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to mark Liberation Day. During the rally, roads were blocked, causing inconvenience to citizens.

On the 15th, the Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held the "Liberty Unification and Eradication of the Joo-sa-pa 8.15 National Rally" in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, starting around 2 p.m. Approximately 20,000 people attended the rally and demonstration, arriving by buses and vans from all over the country.

Participants occupied the 700-meter-long roadway from Donghwa Duty Free Shop to Seoul Plaza. In response, the police completely restricted vehicle traffic on Sejong-daero from City Hall Station to Sejong-daero Intersection. Additionally, roads near Gwanghwamun, including Namdaemun-ro, Ujeongguk-ro, and Jongno-gu, were also controlled. Members of the conservative group occupied sidewalks on both sides of Sejong-daero, further increasing inconvenience for citizens.

When the police blocked some exits of Gwanghwamun Station and City Hall Station to prevent congestion, rally participants protested, demanding the exits be opened. They also requested police to restrict traffic on the remaining lanes to hold the rally.

The rally was reported to continue until 6 p.m.

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