Koreans show solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement

Activists stage a march starting from Myeongdong, central Seoul, Saturday, to show their support for the anti-racism movement over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

Activists, supporters and other observers joined a Black Lives Matter (BLM) solidarity rally Saturday, to voice their support for wider calls over addressing racism across the globe after the tragic death of George Floyd.

It was one of several events that took place around the world in response to the death of Floyd, an African American man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, May 25.

Some 130 people gathered in central Seoul to march from Myeong-dong to Hanbit Park by Cheonggye Stream holding signs reading "We Against Racism" and "Koreans for Black Lives Matter."

"Racial discrimination is not only prominent in the United States, but also something that can be found here in Korea, where multiple ethnicities live together," said event organizer Shim Ji-hoon.

"We want to show our solidarity with the movement in the U.S. and remember Floyd who was sacrificed due to racism," said Shim, 34, a heavy metal musician.

Upon arriving at Hanbit Square, the participants mourned Floyd, kneeling in silence for a minute.

Sophie, identified by Yonhap as a white American woman, 27, from Seattle, took part in the march. She said racial discrimination has blighted U.S. society for centuries.

"I am glad to participate in this demonstration because there was a solidarity movement in Korea. But it is regrettable that there are few black participants in this demonstration, although the voices of black people are important," she was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

The event was one of at least four in Korea scheduled over Friday and Saturday to support the BLM movement that has been spreading across the U.S. and around the world. The death of Floyd, an African American security guard and community leader, at the hands of police prompted the BLM movement to spread around the world. The police officer who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck has been charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers involved were charged with aiding and abetting.

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