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| A progressive group holds a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Friday, to denounce U.S. President Donald Trump's racist and anti-immigrant policies ahead of his planned visit to Korea over the weekend; while a conservative group behind them holds its own gathering welcoming the visit. / Yonhap |
By Kim Jae-heun
Rallies welcoming and opposing U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea will take place in central Seoul over the weekend.
Police are on high alert over possible violence during the protests, strengthening security in the capital.
On the first day of Trump's visit Saturday, the Korea Alliance for Progressive Movement will demonstrate against the president at Seoul Square, starting at 5 p.m. Two other progressive groups will gather at Gwanghwamun Square to oppose the American president's policies.
At the same time, a conservative group supporting impeached former President Park Geun-hye will hold a rally welcoming Trump in front of Seoul Station at 1 p.m. Several other conservative groups also plan to hold rallies in central Seoul.
On Sunday, progressive groups including the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea and the Minjung Party will protest against Trump's visit, while conservative groups such as the Korean Veterans Association will welcome the American president.
Pro- and anti-Trump rallies were held on Friday before his arrival.
The Green Party Korea demanded Trump take action against the climate crisis, while a civic association for migrant workers' rights criticized Trump for his "racist policy on migrants." But a conservative group said the U.S. had helped South Korea keep democracy, waving U.S. national flags.
Amid the demonstrations, police have issued the highest level of emergency orders in Seoul that will start at 9 a.m. Saturday and be maintained until Trump leaves on Sunday.
This level of emergency is enforced during foreign heads' visits to the country or when an important national event is held. Police can mobilize their full force under the alert.
Police said the conservative and progressive groups have freedom to express their opinions on the American president's visit but stern action will be taken if rallies threaten public order.
Traffic will be controlled around the areas Trump will visit.
The same high-level alert was issued during Trump's visit in November 2017. At that time, Trump's car took a detour around a progressive group's rally.
Meanwhile, the far-right minor opposition Our Republican Party temporarily moved its tents from Gwanghwamun Square to the Seoul Finance Center. Seoul Metropolitan City on Tuesday removed tents from the square but the party later put up more.
Police designated Gwanghwamun Square a security zone before Trump's visit and the far-right party agreed to cooperate.
Party head Rep. Cho Won-jin said they can return to Gwanghwamun Square anytime and set up the tents again to protest more fiercely.
The far-right party illegally erected tents there on May 10 to call for the release of imprisoned former President Park.
