Trump's visit prompts support, protests in Seoul
Members of the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea hold signs that reads "No Sanctions" and “Peace Treaty Now” during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Korea, at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, Sunday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kim Hyun-bin
Protesters took to the streets in central Seoul, Sunday, both to welcome and oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea, putting police on high alert over possible violence for the second straight day.
Trump arrived in Seoul, Saturday for a two-day official visit after attending the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.
An alliance of local liberal university students held a rally in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, condemning Trump, when the U.S. president was holding meeting with Korean business leaders at the property.
The young activist group also held a press conference in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, claiming the United States and Trump are trying to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Another progressive group, the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea, also held a press conference in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, located right across from the U.S. Embassy, calling for the simultaneous realization of a peace treaty in the denuclearization process.
“If the U.S. runs counter to peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula, we are ready to denounce it,” the group said.
On the other hand, conservative activist groups gathered in several areas around the capital including Itaewon and Gwanghwamun, praising Trump and the U.S., chanting, “We love Trump” and “We love U.S.A.”
They waved the South Korean and U.S. flags, and wore red shirts bearing the slogan, “Strong Korea.”
Members of the Our Republican Party stage a rally in support of U.S. Donald Trump's visit to Korea at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Amid the demonstrations, police were on the highest state of alert until Trump left the country Sunday evening.
Police can fully mobilize during a head of state's visit to Korea or when there is an important national event.
Traffic was controlled around areas Trump visited. Before the American president's arrival, police warned they would take stern action if the rallies threatened public order.
On Saturday, a rally organized by supporters of former conservative President Park Geun-hye, held a rally at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul singing both the Korean and U.S. national anthems.
"Let's salute President Donald Trump of the USA which protects the free Republic of Korea," one of the activists said on stage. Some of the participants held banners that said, "Thank you, America."
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The activists were showing appreciation for the U.S. backing of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, where more than 36,000 U.S. troops were killed in action.
The Republican Party, a far-right minor opposition party, also held a similar rally at Seoul Station, Saturday with banners that read, “Korea and the U.S. are a blood alliance” and “We welcome President Trump.”
Progressive civic groups held their own rallies in the Gwanghwamun area in the town center opposing Trump's visit.
“We don't welcome President Trump, who threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world,” they said in a statement released before the rally. “We denounce Trump for interfering with our internal politics.”
The rally drew 1,500 protestors, who marched from Seoul Plaza to nearby Jonggak Subway Station calling for an end to international sanctions against the North.