In front of the APT. complex where Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae lives, a conservative group held a rally on the morning of the 17th, calling for his resignation.
Seventeen members of a group named 'Anti-Fraud Election Group' protested against Acting Chief Justice Moon in front of the back gate of the APT. complex in Pyeongdong, Jongno District, Seoul, from 7:30 a.m. for over an hour. Three members of the group also protested at the main entrance of the APT. complex.
Protest participants shouted slogans such as 'Moon Hyung-bae, get out' and 'Moon Hyung-bae, resign immediately.' Some participants yelled, 'Why are you quickly proceeding with the impeachment trial?' and 'Be a human before being a constitutional judge.'
They also waved national flags and American flags while holding placards that read 'Moon Hyung-bae's voluntary resignation,' 'Release the president,' and 'Eliminate election fraud, dissolve the fake National Assembly.'
The organizers announced around 8:40 a.m. that they would disperse the rally, stating, 'We plan to continue the rally until the impeachment trial concludes.' They will hold another rally at the same location for an hour starting at 6 p.m. According to police, the rallies will continue during commuting hours in the future.
Residents of the APT. complex complained about the inconvenience. One resident, who was dropping off a child at daycare, said, 'Protests are free, but causing inconvenience to residents is a fact,' adding, 'Though I'm used to the noise near Gwanghwamun, there are many daycares here.' A foreign resident passing by the occupied sidewalk expressed frustration, saying with irritation, 'Excuse me, it's so loud.' Mr. Seo (50), who runs a convenience store near the protest site, said, 'It's too loud and inconvenient,' noting that 'the sound from the speaker earlier was no joke.'
Some experts also raised concerns. Professor Jo Jin-man from Duksung University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy stated, 'For conservatives, a fundamental value is to respect individual rights,' adding, 'One must not interfere in private matters.' Professor Bae Byung-in of Korea University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, 'If there is an intention to shake the constitutional and legal system under the pretext of freedom of assembly, it is extremely dangerous.'