The National Human Rights Commission will hold a plenary meeting on the 10th to present an agenda recommending the guarantee of President Yoon Suk-yeol's right to defend against impeachment, amidst protests as demonstrators crowded into the building's lobby and occupied it.
The Commission is scheduled to discuss the agenda titled 'Recommendation for Measures to Overcome National Crisis Caused by Declaration of Martial Law' at the second plenary meeting on the afternoon of the same day at 3 p.m. Civil society organizations are strongly opposed to this agenda containing the recommendation to guarantee President Yoon's right to defense. The Commission had previously tabled this agenda on the 13th of last month before retracting it, and attempted to present it again on the 20th of the same month but canceled it on that day.
Around 100 people are blocking the passage of others in front of the lobby at the Narakiwum Jeodong Building, where the Commission is located, around 2:30 p.m. They held signs saying 'Recommend non-custodial investigation for the right to defense' and 'Guarantee human rights for the president.' Those present shouted for 'fair reporting' towards the reporters.
Demonstrators also held a rally in front of the Commission's main entrance. Participants held signs saying 'Martial law is a highly governing act,' 'Nullify impeachment, arrest Lee Jae-myung,' and 'Verify the fraudulent election.' They waved the Korean and U.S. flags while repeatedly shouting slogans such as 'nullify impeachment' and 'guarantee human rights.'
At around 8:40 a.m. on the same day, the protesters gathered on the 14th floor of the building where the Commission is located and attempted to enter the plenary meeting room, confronting the employees. The police were dispatched to disperse them, but they stood in front of the elevators on the 14th floor, stating they would ensure that the afternoon meeting could proceed normally.
When the Commission requested them to move so that the meeting could proceed, they dispersed into the building's human rights library, lobby, and basement level 1. This was aimed at preventing organizations like the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which announced a press conference opposing the tabling of the agenda, from entering. They also blocked individuals supporting President Yoon's impeachment from entering the building in the afternoon.
The Commission decided to hold the plenary meeting as an open session and began accepting attendance requests. Although the deadline for attendance requests was on the 5th, posts expressing intentions to enter the building have been appearing in online communities where supporters of President Yoon are active. One netizen posted around 10:45 a.m. wearing a costume of the American movie character 'Captain America' at the entrance of the elevator to the 14th floor where the Commission's meeting room is located, asking people to criticize Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that they were 'under ideological verification.'
At around 2:50 p.m. that day, when it was reported that Ko Min-jeong, a member of the Democratic Party, had entered the building, demonstrators shouted insults; however, when it was said that 'he has not arrived yet,' they quieted down. The building management office also made an announcement around 2:50 p.m., stating, 'Participants of the gathering, please maintain order for your safety.'