hankyoreh

During a demonstration on Mar. 1 to nullify former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment and demand that she be released from jail, members from conservative organizations including the Taeguki Citizens’ Revolutionary Movement and the Association of Patriotic Culture tore down a monument that had been erected in Gwanghwamun Plaza to commemorate victims of the Sewol ferry disaster. The 8.5 meter tall structure had been erected in Dec. 2016 during the candlelight demonstrations, and contained yellow ribbons to honor those who died in the Sewol sinking.

Supporters of the former president view her as being unfairly blamed for her role in the disaster. Police said that they refused to stop the monument from being torn down as they were focused on keeping the rival groups separated, but moved in when members from the conservative side set fire to the structure, and extinguished the blaze. Two demonstrators were injured in the ensuing scuffle, as was one policeman who was taken to the hospital. The conservative groups had begun their demonstrations at the Seoul Station plaza and the front gate of Deoksu Palace before converging on Gwanghwamun Plaza.