Support for the ‘Daegukbon’ meeting was moved to Hannam-dong at 4:30 p.m.
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Candlelight Movement: “President Yoon must be arrested immediately.”
Protesters opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol/Photo = Reporter Yoo Ji-hee
In Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the president’s official residence is located, a large-scale rally was held on the 4th for and against the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is being investigated on charges of rebellion.
As participants in the rally against President Yoon’s impeachment held in Gwanghwamun moved to Hannam-dong, the distance between the pro and anti-President rallies became closer, increasing tensions.
The emergency action for Yoon Seok-yeol’s immediate resignation and social reform began at 4 p.m. on this day, and the National Movement for the Restoration of Korea, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, held a rally in Gwanghwamun from 1 p.m.
Pastor Jeon, who stood on the podium, shouted to supporters to move to Hannam-dong, saying, “The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is attempting to enter the President’s residence. The Gwanghwamun rally is to be stopped.” At around 4:30 p.m., Daegukbon moved the rally location from Gwanghwamun to Hannam-dong.
Police unofficially estimated that 35,000 protestors left Gwanghwamun like the ebb. As they traveled to Hannam-dong by subway and bus, traffic congestion occurred in the area.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Candlelight Movement calling for President Yoon’s arrest continued their rallies in front of Hannam Elementary School and Exit 2 of Hangangjin Station, respectively, while Daegukbon held a rally in front of the International Lutheran Church.
Photo = Yonhap News
The distance between the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Daegukbon rally was about 400 meters, and the Hannam-dong area was filled with slogans from both sides, such as “Arrest immediately” and “Let’s protect the president.”
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a ‘2 Days & 1 Night’ vigil around the official residence the night before. They attempted to march towards the official residence from 12 noon on this day, calling for the arrest of President Yoon.
During this process, a clash with the police broke out, and two people who participated in the protest were arrested for obstruction of official duties. Afterwards, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions established itself in all lanes in front of the official residence.
Accordingly, Hannam-daero (Hannam Five-way Intersection to Bukhannam Three-way Intersection section) was controlled in both directions, and the Line 6 train passing through Hangangjin Station passed without stopping for 20 minutes until 5:41 p.m.
Supporters of President Yoon who came in late shouted, “Open the lane.” The host encouraged supporters to come inside the car. They also shouted at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, “Disband the illegal assembly.”
Some supporters of President Yoon and members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions confronted each other while shouting across the cordon set up by the police as a ‘human chain’ and the riot police bus.
Yongsan Police Station also broadcast a warning broadcast to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to stop occupying the road.
Yoo Ji-hee, Hankyung.com reporter keephee@hankyung.com
2025-01-04 14:53:00