Conservatives stage “eat-ins” over Sewol bill
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Pictured is a flyer by the Korea Parent Federation, which held a rally this week against hunger-striking relatives of the Sewol ferry victims. It reads, “Let's go to Gwanghwamun Plaza for lunch box picnics.”
Conservative backlash against protests related to April’s Sewol ferry disaster are picking up in Seoul, including a series of “eat-ins” meant to mock hunger strikers.
Families of those who died in the sinking have camped out at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul and have been joined by activists. They are calling for the nation to enact a law aimed to get to the bottom of the sinking. One victim’s father, Kim Young-oh, staged a 45-day hunger strike to that end.
But some conservative groups are unhappy with the publicity. Some such people have been seen eating chicken or noodles with black bean sauce (“jjajangmyun”) in a bid to mock hunger strikers.
Some members of the “eat-in” were reportedly members of ultra-right-wing online community Ilbe.
On Tuesday, the conservative Korea Parent Federation held a rally not far from the square.
“The Gwanghwamun Plaza is not your private land,” said one speaker. “Chuseok is just around the corner, have a nice time at home.” Others accused the families of seeking undue compensation for the tragedy.