(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Yang Soo-yeon = On the 3rd, National Foundation Day, large-scale rallies by progressive and conservative groups were held throughout downtown Seoul.
The Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held the '10/3 Gwanghwamun National Rally for the Resignation of the Lee Jae-myung Administration' in the Sejong-daero area in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop from 1 p.m. on this day.
According to unofficial police estimates, 28,000 people gathered here.
Participants holding the Taegeukgi and the American flag held signs that read 'Lee Jae-myung resign' and 'Let Lee Jae-myung be tried' and shouted slogans such as "Rigged election" and "Yoon again."
They claimed that the Lee Jae-myung government is overthrowing the liberal democratic system and destroying the ROK-US alliance.
At the same time, they demanded a thorough investigation into the explosion of a buried mine in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), as well as the suspension of screening of the movie 'Assassin(s)', which recently caused political controversy, suspension of visa-free entry for Chinese people, suspension of the consolidation of military academies, and the resignation of Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol.
Participants in the Liberty Unification Party rally will continue their march using Saemunan-ro and Jahamun-ro to Shinsyo Street starting at 4 p.m.
The People Power Party is also fighting outside the venue by holding the 'People's Action Rally for Judgment of the Lee Jae-myung Administration, Restoration of People's Livelihood and Security Protection' in front of Sungnyemun Gate from 3 PM on this day.
At this event, 9,000 people gathered, including active members of the National Assembly, party council chairs from each region, local lawmakers, party members, and party officials.
The Conservative Group All-Army National Comrades Association also held a rally on the east side of Seoul City Hall this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the 'Emergency Action of Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine' held a 'NO Israel STOP Genocide' rally in front of Bosingak on this day. About 1,000 people gathered here.
They claimed, "It has been three years since Israel began genocide in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, but humanity has not been able to stop it. Responsibility for the genocide lies not only with Israel and the United States, the main culprits, but with the entire international community, including Korea, who aided and failed to stop it."
At the same time, he urged the National Pension Service and the Korea Investment Corporation to stop investing in Israeli government bonds and war criminal companies, and for the government to resolutely refuse to send troops to Hormuz.
They also start from Bosingak and continue marching toward Gwanghwamun.
Due to several rallies held in the Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun areas, traffic was congested on major roads in Gwanghwamun, including Sejong-daero, this afternoon.
The progressive candlelight movement will hold its 210th candlelight march near the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu at 5 p.m.
They are arguing that Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who has been at odds with the Lee Jae-myung administration by recently refusing a request to reappoint the justices, should be investigated immediately, calling him the "last bastion of insurrectionists."
Meanwhile, in the Gangnam area, the '2026 Gangnam Festival' will be held centered on Dosan-daero on this day. A large street parade is scheduled from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
In the approximately 500m section between Dosan Park Intersection and Hakdong Intersection, all lanes in both directions were closed from midnight on this day. This traffic control will continue until 5 a.m. on the 5th. Before and after the event, vehicular traffic will be temporarily closed in the approximately 730m section of Cheongdam Intersection to Hakdong Intersection.
