Large-scale rallies to be held across downtown Seoul on National Liberation Day of Korea; traffic congestion expected

[Financial News] On the 15th, National Liberation Day of Korea, large-scale rallies and marches by progressive and conservative groups will be held across downtown Seoul. Police plan to deploy more than 200 traffic officers to manage traffic.
The Liberty Unification Party (LUP), led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, will hold a rally from 1 p.m. in the Sejong-daero area in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop. The reported turnout is 50,000.
After the rally, participants are scheduled to march to Shingyo Intersection from 4 p.m. During the march, traffic in both directions between the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Intersection and Salvation Army Intersection will be restricted.
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) will hold an 8.15 Workers' Rally with 10,000 participants at 2 p.m. in front of Songhyeon Park. It will then march from 2:45 p.m. along the route from Songhyeon Park to Anguk Intersection, Jogyesa Temple, Jongno 1-ga Intersection and Sungnyemun Gate.
The progressive 8.15 Steering Committee will also hold a rally from 1:30 p.m. in the Yulgok-ro and Sajik-ro area. It will then march from 2:30 p.m. along the route from Anguk Intersection to Jonggak Intersection, Euljiro 1(il)-ga Intersection and Seoul Plaza. During the march, vehicle traffic from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Intersection toward City Hall Intersection will be restricted.
At Jamsil Olympic Park, conservative groups including the Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps also plan to hold rallies and marches. Their combined reported turnout is 1,500. Bellado, a group supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol, plans to hold a rally with 3,000 participants at Marronnier Park, while the Million People Movement Headquarters will hold a separate rally with 2,000 participants near Seoul Station.
Police will deploy more than 200 traffic officers to major rally and march routes to manage detours and traffic restrictions.
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, "Traffic congestion is expected around Sejong-daero and Ujeongguk-ro," and urged the public to "use the subway if possible, and if you are driving, check traffic information in advance."


[email protected] Hong Ye-ji Reporter