'Million'-strong Protest Tells S. Korea President To Quit
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 12, 2016 | 07:55 PM
SEOUL, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2016 ) - Pressure on South Korea's scandal-hit president to resign escalated sharply Saturday, with organisers claiming a million-strong turnout at one of the largest -- and loudest -- anti-government protests the country has ever witnessed.
Chanting "Step down Park Geun-Hye!" enormous crowds, including high school students, Catholic nuns, labourers, farmers, retirees and young couples with babies, massed in the streets of central Seoul in a powerful display of popular anger and dissent.
While police put the turnout at 260,000, organisers said one million people took part in what was the third in a series of weekly protests over a corruption scandal that has left Park fighting for her political survival.
On the back of official appeals for calm, police deployed around 25,000 officers, many of them in full riot gear, while police buses and trucks blocked every access road -- major or minor -- around the presidential Blue House.
As night fell, Seoul's main ceremonial boulevard Gwanghwamun became a moving river of flickering candles held by the banner-waving, slogan-chanting demonstrators calling on Park to quit. "It was our wedding anniversary yesterday but we cancelled our anniversary trip and came to Seoul because we thought it was more important for our daughter," said Cho Joo-Pyo, who came with his wife and their two-year-old.
Cho's family had travelled from Jeonju, around 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Seoul -- one of tens of thousands who travelled from cities across the country to participate in the biggest anti-government rally since the pro-democracy protests of the late 1980s.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
Pro-Palestinian US campus protests grow as police crack down
5 minutes ago -
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's $38.8 bn takeover bid
15 minutes ago -
Guatemala prosecutors raid international NGO over alleged child abuse
25 minutes ago -
Another State Dept official resigns over US' Gaza policy amid growing student protests
25 minutes ago -
Togo leader Gnassingbe follows father's political playbook
35 minutes ago -
China ready to work with Pakistan to promote practical cooperation under CPEC, GDI: Luo Zhaohui
45 minutes ago
-
Indian election resumes as heatwave hits voters
45 minutes ago -
United by grief, families of Boeing crash victims demand justice
1 hour ago -
Microsoft expands its AI empire abroad
1 hour ago -
China ready to work with Pakistan to promote practical cooperation under CPEC, GDI: Luo Zhaohui
1 hour ago -
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
2 hours ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
2 hours ago