From the Taegeukgi to Candlelight Actions... Weekend Counter-Rallies Across Downtown Areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] On Saturday the 11th, rallies by conservative and progressive groups were held one after another across Seoul, centered around the Gwanghwamun area.

In the afternoon, between Gwanghwamun Station and City Hall Station, conservative groups held rallies. The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held a rally from 1 p.m. in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop demanding the arrest of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and condemning government-critical groups. Members of some conservative groups such as the Taegeukgi Revolution National Movement Headquarters held a rally from 2 p.m. on the sidewalks around the Seoul Metropolitan Council and Deoksugung Palace, waving Taegeukgi and the U.S. flag in support of Korea-U.S. diplomatic relations. Near Samgakji Station close to the Presidential Office, about 600 members of the New Freedom Solidarity held a rally from 5 p.m.

Between City Hall Station and Sungnyemun, citizens with opposing views gathered. The Candlelight Transition Action held the "26th Government Condemnation Rally" from 5 p.m. The organizers occupied the lane opposite Exit 8 of City Hall Station, across from the Samsung Main Building on Sejong-daero towards Gwanghwamun, and set up a stage five hours before the rally started. As traffic in the area was disrupted, the police designated one lane on the opposite side as a reversible lane to allow vehicle passage.

About 1,000 construction union members gathered around Seoul Station Plaza. They held a "Union Oppression Condemnation Rally," criticizing the government's policy direction as "pro-business and anti-labor." After the rally, they marched approximately 1.9 km to the east plaza of Seoul City Hall.

In the evening, a memorial cultural event for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy was held. The 10·29 Itaewon Tragedy Citizens' Countermeasures Committee held the "Itaewon Tragedy Memorial Cultural Festival" from 7 p.m. at the west side of Seoul City Hall.

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