By Kim Bo-eun, Choi Ha-young
Protesters will hold a massive candlelit rally at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Friday — the day of the vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye over the influence-peddling scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil.
Earlier, organizers of the rallies requested the Assembly open its premises to the public and install screens outdoors to broadcast the voting process live.
However, Speaker Chung Sye-kyun said Thursday that representatives of the major parties agreed not to allow public access to the premises because “the lawmakers’ right to decide should not be interfered with.”
The lawn in front of the Assembly main building is usually only used for a president’s inauguration or other national events.
Instead Chung said he will allow people to hold a gathering in front of the main gate. Under regular circumstances, demonstrations are banned within 100 meters of the Assembly.
“Although a demonstration in the Assembly premises is not allowed, we need to guarantee people’s peaceful and free expression of opinion within legal boundaries,” Chung said. “The parliament, together with the police, will guarantee the people the right to hold a peaceful and safe rally.”
The rally organizers denounced the decision, calling it “anachronistic and authoritarian.”
“It is deplorable for the Assembly, the hall of public opinion, to limit people’s access,” they said in a statement.
They said they will encourage participants during the rally in front of the gate to surround the premises as a means to pressure the lawmakers to vote for impeachment.
Also adding pressure, citizens held rallies near the ruling Saenuri Party headquarters on Yeouido, Thursday evening. Civic groups have also protested in front of Saenuri Party lawmakers’ offices nationwide.
The rally organizers said they will hold the seventh weekly protest on Saturday in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, regardless of the outcome of the impeachment vote.
“We will continue the rallies at Gwanghwamun,” said Han Seon-beom, a spokesman for the organizers. “We expect the number of participants to decrease, but people will know that even if the impeachment motion is passed, this will only lead to the suspension of the President from her duties and not her resignation.”
Protesters also expressed their determination to continue their protests against Park.
“I plan to continue participating in the protests, because the President did not step down, and public opinion is crucial to keep the issue afloat,” said Han Hye-soo, 23, a university student.
“The impeachment motion must be passed. And citizens should continue to take part in candlelit rallies,” said Park, 53, a teacher.
At the same time, people voiced their disapproval of ruling party lawmakers who oppose impeachment.
“If the motion is not passed, those who opposed the plan will face an end to their political careers,” said Yoo Dong-han, 31, an office worker. “Those lawmakers will never be forgotten.”