Massive Seoul rally targets South Korean president over North Korea policy
Illustrative photo: Korean protesters in Seoul (Getty Images)
Dozens of lawmakers from South Korea’s opposition People Power Party held a large rally in central Seoul against President Lee Jae Myung, according Yonhap News.
Opposition politicians criticized the president over his prosecution reform and the government’s response to a recent North Korean landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone.
The rally was held on Saturday, October 3. Nearly 70 People Power Party lawmakers took part, led by party leader Jang Dong-hyeok. The opposition party claimed that around 200,000 people joined the protest overall.
The leader of the party’s parliamentary caucus, Chung Cheong-sik, accused President Lee Jae Myung of failing to criticize North Korea following the landmine explosion.
“He did not say a single word against North Korea,” the politician said, criticizing the president’s response to the incident.
The incident in question occurred on September 21 in the Demilitarized Zone after mines planted by North Korea exploded. Three South Korean soldiers were injured, two of them seriously.
Lawmakers also criticized Lee Jae Myung over his characterization of the explosion as an “accident.” According to opposition lawmaker Lim Jong-deuk, the statement demonstrated the president’s “submissive” attitude toward North Korea.
People Power Party representatives also opposed the prosecution reform being pursued by Lee’s administration. The opposition additionally criticized the president’s decision to increase the number of Supreme Court justices.
The opposition party argues that these changes could be aimed at helping Lee Jae Myung avoid the consequences of ongoing legal proceedings that have been suspended.
The rally was the first large-scale street demonstration involving People Power Party lawmakers since late September last year.
Recently, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on North Korea to begin talks aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement rather than maintaining a temporary armistice.
Earlier, North Korea claimed that upcoming U.S.-South Korean military exercises were allegedly pushing the Korean Peninsula toward nuclear war. Pyongyang also said it could exercise its right to “self-defense.”
