Minor opposition UPP starts outdoor demonstration

As the Constitutional Court would rule on whether the United Progressive Party (UPP) violates constitution on Friday, pro-con protests over the forcible disbandment of the party and a large-scale demonstration of labor unions will be held together. As the court’s decision date coincides with the second anniversary of President Park Geun-hye’s winning of the 2012 presidential election, big-scale protests could congest streets in downtown Seoul. One of the rallies to take place is "candlelight rally marking the second year of President Park Geun-hye’s term."

On the same day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions plans to hold a "nation-wide laborers’ rally to abolish the government`s comprehensive measures on irregular workers" with 2,000 union members in front of Seoul Finance Building, downtown Seoul, for one hour from 5:30 p.m. From 7 p.m., progressive organizations including "power of people to change the world" will hold a candlelight rally and protest to criticize overall crisis’ in the Seoul Square. The maximum of 2,000 protesters are expected to join the rally.

In front of the Constitutional Court in the central Seoul district of Jongno, conservative groups will have a series of press conferences on Friday morning. Conservative organizations such as Korea Parent Federation, Young’s Liberty Union and Mothers’ Troops will hold press conferences consecutively with 250 members from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to call for disbandment of the UPP. Unlike rallies, press conferences can be held without reporting to the authorities in advance. It is expected that more impromptu press conferences could take place on that day.

The UPP and Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement, a civic group, will hold a "rally against forcible disbandment of the Progressive Political Party that protects democracy" with 1,000 protesters in front of Raemian Gallery adjacent to the Constitutional Court on the same day. On Thursday, a day before the court’s decision date, 100 members of the minor opposition party had the same protest and bowed 108 times on the road to “appeal to the public with sincere desire to protect democracy.” The party`s student committee held a press conference at the front gate of the Constitutional Court and said, “Existence of a political party is something that the public, or voters, should decide by themselves. We request the Constitutional Court to reject the appeal for the party disbandment.”