Late-night Clash Between Conservative and Anti-Japan Groups in Front of the Statue of a Girl... 1 Person Transported to Hospital

On the 23rd, the 1532nd Regular Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Issue, hosted by the Justice and Memory Foundation, is being held near the Statue of Peace in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] On the night of the 11th, conservative groups and anti-Japanese groups clashed for about four hours near the 'Statue of Peace' in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Members of the conservative group 'Shinjayuyeondae' held a rally near the Statue of Peace around 10 p.m. that day, demanding the dissolution of the Justice Memory Foundation. During this process, a physical altercation broke out with the anti-Japanese activists protecting the statue.

The clash between the two groups continued past midnight on the 12th. As Shinjayuyeondae leader Kim Sang-jin attempted to enter the area near the statue and the anti-Japanese activists blocked him, the standoff lasted for a long time, resulting in one participant collapsing from exhaustion and being taken to the hospital.

The police set up a police line between the two groups to prevent physical clashes, but both sides continued a 'verbal confrontation' by increasing the volume of their rally speakers. The standoff ended when Shinjayuyeondae left the site around 2:10 a.m. on the 12th.

The Jongno Police Station in Seoul is investigating both groups for violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and has recorded the scene. They plan to summon group officials for further investigation.

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