A police officer confiscates a mask of the emperor of Japan from a citizen who participated in the demonstration protesting the possible visit of the emperor of Japan that was hosted by civic organizations including the Citizen Network for East Asian History in front of the Press Center, Seoul, Feb. 7.

Many experts say the emperor of Japan may visit South Korea this year to mark the 100th anniversary of the forceful annexation of Korea by Japan. The members of the civic organizations are demanding that the emperor issue an apology for Japan‘s colonial rule over Korea as a precondition for his visit.

Photo by Kim Bong-kyu/the Hankyoreh