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outside the Central Government Complex in Seoul

Organizers of weekly candlelight demonstrations against President Park Geun-hye declared a “February candlelight emergency” on Feb. 9 amid increasingly overt stalling tactics in Park’s impeachment trial and counterattacks from conservatives and right-wingers.

The organizers called for citizens to once again show the power of “one million candles” this weekend.

“On Feb. 11, we are holding a 15th day of pan-citizen action to call for a swift impeachment trial of President Park and demand extension of the Special Prosecutor’s investigation,” the group Emergency People’s Movement Calling for the Park Geun-hye Government to Step Down announced in a press conference before the Constitutional Court in Seoul on the morning of Feb. 9.

The group also made plans to hold large-scale nationwide candlelight demonstrations for its three weekend rallies this month and call for participation from citizens.

Declaring a “February candlelight emergency,” Emergency Citizen Action said, “Now that Park Geun-hye, the Saenuri Party, and their guardians are maneuvering, the most important thing is to reveal each of the crimes by President Park.”

“We have determined that the power of the public is needed to prevent stalling of a Constitutional Court impeachment ruling, extend the Special Prosecutor’s investigation, and arrest President Park, and are planning more large-scale demonstrations beginning with the 15th demonstration,” it added.

Members of the Labor Party wear masks depicting President Park Geun-hye during a performance condemning the Blue House

The group’s members went on to appeal for participation in the demonstrations.

“We hope many citizens will once again reenact the candlelight demonstration from last November, when a million citizens gathered at Gwanghwamun Square,” they said.

It was the first time organizers have made reference to “one million candles” in their calls for participation since Park’s impeachment vote last December - a sign of the urgency with which a swift impeachment trial ruling and special prosecutor’s extension are being viewed.

The candlelight demonstration this weekend is to begin with a preliminary “citizens‘ rally for impeachment” in front of the Constitutional Court at 3 pm on Feb. 11 and conclude with a march around 9 pm. Because it also coincides with the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, Emergency Citizen Action plans to raise full moon balloons during the main demonstration’s “lights out” period as a gesture of “driving away evil spirits,” and stage performances to express hopes for Park‘s resignation. The band Hot Potato is also scheduled to perform during the main demonstration.

While previous marches were divided among the Blue House, Constitutional Court, and Prime Minister’s residence, the march this weekend is to involve two segments. Marchers plan to first surround the Blue House to send a message pressuring Park and Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn, after which they are to meet at Yulgok Road and proceed toward the Constitutional Court.

Emergency Citizens’ Action chaebol arrest committee is also planning to launch a two-day march at 3 pm on Feb. 10. The title is “Grand Two-Day March for a World without Irregular Jobs, Downsizing, and Union Suppression.” Participants are to begin at the Special Prosecutors’ headquarters in Seoul‘s Gangnam district, before traveling a roughly 16-km route taking them to the National Assembly in Yeouido, Gwanghwamun Square, and on to the Blue House.

“After the court’s rejection of an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, chaebol chairmen like Chung Mong-koo [Hyundai], Chey Tae-won [Hanwha], and Shin Dong-bin [Lotte] are now more likely to be let off the hook,” committee members said.

“We need to put an end to government-business collusion and the chaebol system.”

By Park Su-ji, staff reporter

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