Supporters opponents of embattled park stage big rallies in seoul
Here's a summary of the situation:
Supporters of Embattled Park Stage Big Rallies in Seoul
Thousands of supporters of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption, gathered in Seoul on Saturday to demand her release and protest her conviction. The rally was held in front of the Seoul Central District Court, where Park is being held.
The protesters, many of whom wore yellow ribbons and carried signs with Park's image, chanted slogans and waved flags in support of the former president. They claimed that Park was unfairly targeted and that her conviction was a political witch-hunt.
Opponents of Embattled Park Stage Big Rallies in Seoul
Meanwhile, thousands of opponents of Park also gathered in Seoul on Saturday to protest the rally and show their support for the country's democratic institutions. The anti-Park rally was held in the same area as the pro-Park rally, but on the opposite side of the street.
The anti-Park protesters, many of whom wore black ribbons and carried signs with anti-Park slogans, accused Park of corruption and abuse of power during her presidency. They also expressed support for the country's judiciary and the rule of law.
Tensions Run High
The two rallies were held just a few meters apart, and tensions ran high as the two groups clashed. Police were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent violence.
The rallies were a rare display of public support for Park, who was impeached and removed from office in 2017 after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Her conviction and imprisonment have been widely seen as a major blow to the conservative establishment in South Korea.
The rallies also highlighted the deep divisions in South Korean society, with many people still fiercely loyal to Park and others strongly opposed to her and her policies.