'Yoon Humiliation Diplomacy Protest' Rally in Downtown Seoul... Over 20,000 Gathered

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A large-scale rally condemning the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's solution to forced labor during Japanese occupation and its diplomatic policies was held in downtown Seoul over the weekend.

The civic group Candlelight Action held the '7th Nationwide Candlelight Action Rally' on the afternoon of the 15th around Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. According to the organizers, about 20,000 people gathered, filling all four lanes of Sejong-daero. Prior to this, approximately 5,000 people held a preliminary rally near Hyehwa Station and then marched for nearly two hours to Sungnyemun, holding placards with slogans such as 'Resign Yoon Suk-yeol.'

Near the venue of the main rally, a performance was held in which the fortune teller Cheongong struck a sculpture resembling President Yoon and his wife and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon with a toy hammer. Some participants held a large banner reading 'We mourn and remember the Sewol ferry disaster' ahead of the 9th anniversary of the tragedy.

Additionally, civic groups including Neomeo Seoul and the Seoul Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held the '2023 Seoul People's Rally' at Seoul Station at 2 p.m., condemning the government's livelihood, labor, and diplomatic policies. About 2,000 participants marched to Seoul City Hall, chanting slogans such as 'Lower public utility fees' and 'Condemn humiliating diplomacy' while holding placards.

Due to the consecutive rallies and marches, some lanes on Hangang-daero and Sejong-daero were temporarily closed, causing severe traffic congestion in the area. According to the Seoul Transportation Information System (TOPIS), as of 5:30 p.m. that day, the vehicle speed in downtown Seoul was recorded at 15.6 km/h.

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