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Opposition lawmakers protest against Kim Yong Chol’s visit

Opposition lawmakers protest against Kim Yong Chol’s visit

Posted February. 26, 2018 07:58,   

Updated February. 26, 2018 07:58

한국어

The Liberty Korea Party (LKP) mobilized some 70 lawmakers and staged an “all-out block plan” on Sunday to prevent Kim Yong Chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and director of the United Front Department of the WPK Central Committee, from visiting South Korea.

Lawmakers of the opposition party moved to the southern tip of the Unification Bridge in Paju, Gyeonggi Province immediately after wrapping up a general meeting of lawmakers held at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul on Saturday afternoon. The Liberty Korea Party’s floor leader Kim Sung-tae initially planned to assemble lawmakers at 9 a.m. on Sunday in time for Kim Yong Chol’s visit to South Korea. The plan, however, was altered as he received information that the plan leaked out and the South Korean government may blockade the Unification Bridge.

Approximately 20 people including floor leader Kim and Kim Moo-sung, commissioner of the Committee for the Prevention of Kim Yong Chol’s Visit to South Korea, engaged in an all-night sit-in demonstration on two lanes with a banner saying “Withdraw the Visit of Kim Yong Chol, the Mastermind of Orchestrating 2010 Cheonan Torpedo Attack.” About 70 lawmakers including Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo participated in the protest on Sunday morning, spreading 12-meter-long large Taegeukgi, the national flag of South Korea, on a road and shouting “Step on this flag and pass by.”

The protest was put to an end in 16 hours as they received news that Kim Yong Chol and his delegation bypassed the Unification Bridge. “Kim Yong Chol went through a dog hole because we guarded the Unification Bridge. This shows how South Korea remains undiminished,” said Chairman Hong. Meanwhile, Rep. Kim Moo-sung urged for help “to arrest and assassinate Kim Yong Chol during his stay in South Korea.” The main opposition party plans to continue its outside demonstration at Cheonggye Plaza on Monday.


hong@donga.com