Conservatives stage rally against justice minister
Koreans opposed to scandal-ridden Justice Minister Cho Kuk held a massive rally in central Seoul on Wednesday to call for his ouster and the resignation of President Moon Jae-in.
Participants, many holding Korean national flags and some holding American flags as well, crowded the 10-lane boulevard running from the Gwanghwamun gate all the way to the Sungnyemun, or Namdaemun, gate near Seoul Station.
They later marched in front of the presidential office, chanting slogans like “Arrest Cho Kuk” and “Moon Jae-in out.”
Police mobilized around 5,000 officers to prevent possible incidents at the rally, but no violent clashes or arrests were reported.
It was the second mass rally that conservatives have held to demand Cho’s ouster. The first was held on the National Foundation Day holiday last week. Wednesday is the Hangeul Day holiday that marks the promulgation of the Korean alphabet.
Leaders of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, such as chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn and floor leader Na Kyung-won, also took part in Wednesday’s rally. A coalition of conservative groups, which calls itself the Pan-National Alliance for Moon Jae-in’s Resignation, organized the protest.
The alliance insists that Cho is not fit to serve as the justice minister overseeing the prosecution, as his family has been under investigation by prosecutors about various corruption allegations.
The conservative demonstrators plan to march towards Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office, after the Gwanghwamun rally to demand Moon’s resignation.