Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Massive candlelit rally held to protest against Japan's trade restrictions
Thousands of protesters take part in a candlelit rally in front of the old Japanese embassy building in Seoul, Saturday, holding placards that read “We condemn the Abe administration. Apologize for forced labor.” Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Thousands of Koreans held a massive candlelit rally in Seoul, Saturday, to condemn Japan's removal of Korea from its whitelist of trusted trading partners, after banning exports of key chemicals to Korean companies in an apparent retaliatory measure against Korean Supreme Court rulings over wartime forced labor.
Civic groups are planning more rallies on Aug. 10 and 15.
An alliance of 680 civic groups nationwide held a protest in front of the former Japanese embassy in Seoul at 7 p.m., with around 15,000 citizens estimated to have taken part.
The rally was held to condemn the “Abe administration that distorts history, creates economic aggression and threatens peace.”
Holding placards that read “We condemn the Abe administration” and “Apologize for forced labor,” protesters said the Shinzo Abe administration was not reflecting on Japan's wartime atrocities but rather attacking Korea's economy.
“We will fight against the economic blackmail imposed by the Japanese government,” said Han Kyung-hee, secretary general for the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan.
“Japan should also acknowledge its past war crimes. Japan has not reflected on its wrongdoings, so we will let the whole world know of its atrocities and force it to reflect.”
The protesters condemned Japan's exclusion of Korea from its whitelist the previous day.
“Japan needs to withdraw its decision to exclude Korea from the whitelist immediately,” said an official from the alliance. “It has been marching against East Asia's peace efforts by increasing its military presence. It is bluntly revealing its plans to make Korea an economic and military subordinate.
“The Korean government needs to end the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan, which was inked by the former Park Geun-hye administration without public consensus. Regarding the sexual slavery compensation deal, the government also needs to return the 1 billion yen ($8.8 million) provided by Japan.”
After the candlelit rally, which lasted about 90 minutes,, the protesters set up a large banner that read, “Condemn the Abe administration. Get together for Aug. 15.” They then marched to the central Gwanghwamun and Jongno area.
Aug. 15 is Liberation Day, which marks the end of the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. The alliance plan to hold a massive candlelit vigil at Gwanghwamun Square on the day, and a smaller one in front of the former Japanese embassy at 7 p.m., Aug. 10.