Peace is a new norm at anti-Park protest in Seoul
More than 60 injured and 20 arrested, but this past weekend’s protest was nowhere near as violent as past rallies
By Kim Se-jeong
Water cannons, iron bars, police and protesters beating each other up, bleeding people, walls of police officers in riot gear and so on used to be the common images of protests in Korea.
People walked around downtown Seoul in peace, even near Cheong Wa Dae where President Park, embroiled in the worst scandal ever involving her close confidant Choi Soon-sil, lives. People were holding candles and posters demanding Park’s resignation, but they made no attempts to pick fights with the more than 25,000 police officers present in riot gear.
There were a few sparse confrontations, but it was nothing compared to previous rallies that resulted in serious injuries. The police announced that 64 police officers and protesters were injured, but none seriously. Also only 23 people were taken into custody.
The biggest rally in Korea’s modern history which lasted almost 12 hours was a large-scale carnival. The candlelit protest was accompanied by music and chanting, “Park Geun-hye Resign!” People laughed at posters and performances mocking the President and her confidant. Some brought along instruments to play, and people danced to their tunes. The protestors also had quick bites to eat gimbap, boiled fish cake and soondae ― from street vendors, while marching.
Singers and comedians took the stage, livening up the crowd.
The Korean media, News 1, said history will remember the protest as the most mature of them. Roads were kept clean. People dropped their empty water bottles at designated points, and volunteers cleaned the area at the end of the protest. Subway stations nearby were packed with people arriving and leaving, but they moved with courtesy and good manners unseen at previous protests. Participants also volunteered to look for lost wallets and children who wandered away from their parents.
It reminded people of the 2002 FIFA World Cup during which the citizens were lauded for their exceptional manners.