After former President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to life in prison at the first trial on charges of leading an insurrection related to the Dec. 3 martial law, the first weekend rallies by progressive and conservative groups continued across downtown Seoul.
The Pan-National Movement to Rebuild Korea (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jun Kwang-hun of Sarang Jeil Church, held a "Gwanghwamun National Rally" in front of the Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu starting around 11:30 a.m. that day. Jun is in custody in connection with the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court.
Rally participants waved the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes, chanting "Release Yoon Suk-yeol" and "Release Jun Kwang-hun."
Jeon Han-gil, a former star lecturer in Korean history, called the life sentence for the former president "bogus," arguing, "The Dec. 3 martial law was a patriotic decision to root out anti-state forces, and there was no subversion of the constitutional order or rioting."
A progressive-leaning group held a rally near Seocho Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. The civic group Candlelight Action held its "179th Candlelight March" near the Supreme Court around 3 p.m.
Participants at the rally held placards reading "Impeach Jo Hee-de" and "Let's completely punish the insurrection," and chanted slogans such as "Let's punish the law tyrants who block punishment for the insurrection."
They have argued that the former president should be sentenced to death in connection with the charge of leading an insurrection. At the rally that day, Candlelight Action criticized the first-trial verdict, saying, "Jo Hee-de's judiciary held a trial not to punish the insurrection, but to plead the case for the insurrection ringleader."
Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party of Korea said from the rally stage, "In the second trial, there must be a death sentence," adding, "If not, the seeds of (insurrection) may grow, and a coup could occur in this land in the future."