Crowd 110,000-Strong at Rally Against North

June 23, 2003

A large demonstration was held at City Hall plaza Saturday afternoon in protest of North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

An estimated 110,000 demonstrators protested Kim Jong-il's rule in the North, called for a strengthened alliance between the South and United States and said a prayer in memory of those lost during the Korean War. Participants, largely identified with conservative groups, included members of the Christian Council of Korea, Korea Freedom League, and Korea Veterans Association.

The protesters also criticized the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union for what they called anti-American teachings.

The first half of the rally was composed of "national salvation prayers" lead by several Protestant ministers. The second half was called a "national mass meeting," which included a memorial service for soldiers killed in the Yellow Sea naval battle last year and criticism of the North's government and pro-North sentiment in the South. Participants shouted, "Dae Han Min Guk," the official name of Korea, while waving both the Korean and American flags.

There was a minor scuffle between the police and some demonstrators when protesters tried to move to Taepyeongno, Gwang-hwamun, after complaining that the designated rally point in the plaza was too small for their numbers.

by Yoon Chang-hee

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