hankyoreh

Seoul

Progressive civic groups and other “pan-opposition” elements have lit a “second candle” under the banner of “defending public welfare and democracy.”

The National Congress on Public Welfare and Democracy Preparatory Committee launched the organization with an event titled “Making Hope for 99 Percent of the Country” in Seoul’s Cheonggye Plaza, at the Taepyeongno end of the plaza, on October 25. Event organizers reported participation of approximately 3,000 people, while police put the number closer to 700.

So far, the National Congress includes civic groups such as the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Korea Solidarity of Progressive Movement and Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun); labor groups such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, (Minju Nochong, KCTU); online clubs such as Candlelight Plaza (Chotbul Gwangjang) and the Association of Awake Internet Users (Kkae'eo inneun nurikkun moim); and a total of close to 70 organizations. The Democratic, Democratic Labor and New Progressive parties are also expressing interest in participating in the ad hoc umbrella group.

“The candlelight protests were a great declaration of democracy and popular sovereignty that no power can turn back,” the National Congress said in its founding statement, which went on to say that the group will campaign for a transformation in policy for the common people and to expand the ways the government serves the people. It aims to do this “by opposing the ‘policies for those rich in Gangnam neighborhood real estate’ and policies that serve the privileged class, which accounts for one percent of the country, at a time when the administration’s incompetence and failures in governance are leading to economic ruin.”

The statement also called for the “immediate resignation of the entire Cabinet, as well as the resignations of Finance Minister Kang Man-soo, National Police Agency Commissioner General Eo Cheong-soo and Korea Communications Commission Chairman Choi See-joong, who have ruined the economy or democracy by disrespecting the people.” It also demanded the formation of a “Cabinet of national unity.”

The organization says that it will begin operations in earnest after a November 5 meeting of its steering committee to chose its executive leadership and develop policy alternatives and points of criticism of the current administration regarding the Korean public’s welfare, after discussion with experts in various areas of concern. It says it will go on a campaign to shore up public strength in a December “Emergency Situation Assembly” if the Lee administration does not change what it says are erroneous policies.

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