Even with impeachment passed, candlelight demonstrations to continue

Posted on : 2016-12-10 13:16 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Protesters still seeking Pres. Park’s immediate resignation, and conservative groups planning counter demonstrations
Citizens gather for a candlelight demonstration at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul calling for President Park Geun-hye to resign
Citizens gather for a candlelight demonstration at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul calling for President Park Geun-hye to resign

President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment motion has passed, but the candles continue to burn.

The group Emergency Citizen Action for the Park Geun-hye Administration’s Resignation announced on Dec. 9 that it would going ahead as scheduled with a demonstration at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul at 6 pm on Dec. 10. Its aim is to see through the public’s desire for Park’s immediate resignation, as expressed during the last six weekly demonstrations.

The rally and march will be similar to last week’s. Preliminary events are to start at 1 pm, with a first march around the Blue House beginning at 4 pm and the main event at Gwanghwamun Square kicking off at 6 pm. A “lights out” event and car horn protest are to take place at 7 pm. At 7:30 pm begins a second march along 14 roads toward the Blue House. Five of them - Samcheong Road, Hyoja Road, and three others toward the Cheongwoon Hyojadong Community Service Center - reach within 100 meters of the Blue House.

But police have decided this time to ban any demonstrations or marches north of Sajik Road and Yulgok Road. Emergency Action has filed for a court injunction against the ban.

“In the past, we’ve distanced ourselves from talking about impeachment - what we’ve demanded has been the immediate resignation of Park Geun-hye by the public,” said a source with the group.

“The National Assembly’s impeachment motion was merely intended to pressure Park into an immediate resignation,” the source added.

Candles will also be lit in various locations around South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Association of People Who Love Park Geun-hye (Parksamo) and other conservative groups issued an order for “full mobilization.” After staging a counter-demonstration at Cheonggye Plaza at 11 am, they plan to begin a march toward Marronnier Park at 1 pm. The National Prayer Union also announced plans for a prayer meeting at the plaza in front of Seoul Station at 7 pm.

By Kim Ji-hoon, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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