Subscribe
E-Paper
There is growing concern that there may be violent clashes on March 1 Independence Movement Day between people who demand a speedy impeachment ruling for President Park Geun-hye and those who do not want her dismissed.
The Constitutional Court ruling is expected toward the middle of March so both sides are expected to mobilize their biggest shows of force on the emotional day marking the great popular resistance against Japan's imperial rule.
Political leaders from both sides should refrain from acts and remarks that incite violence while ensuring people's right to expression within the rule of law.
As the impeachment decision grows near, major clashes are possible _ something that has been avoided during the previous rallies.
Already, there are signs of emotions running amok. On Saturday night, several clashes between protesters were reported.
In one instance, riot police blocked members of "Taegukgi" units of Park backers who left their rallying ground between Seoul Station and City Hall and marched into Gwangwhamun Boulevard, the venue of anti-Park candlelit protests.
Marking the fourth anniversary of Park's inauguration, large crowds from both sides gathered. Minor clashes were reported in pockets of areas.
The candlelit protesters estimated the number of participants at more than 1 million, the sixth above-1 million turnout in the 17 Saturday night rallies. Park supporters claimed they had three times as many people as their rivals, but their number looked greatly inflated, but they attracted a growing crowd for sure.
Thus far, the protesters have set a new model of little violence in stark contrast to previous rallies for other causes that often ended up in violent clashes between protesters and police or between protesters, sometimes resulting in serious injuries and deaths.
Now, the Park supporters are asking the court for permission to advance to the presidential complex of Cheong Wa Dae for their March 1 rally, which would have them march through Gwangwhamun.
Considering the court did not reject the anti-Park forces' requests, the court is likely to grant the latest request, raising the risk of clashes.
Both sides should remind themselves that their unruly behavior will spoil the laudable examples they have set, which brought praise at home and abroad. Also their respective causes would suffer and the chance of reconciliation after the verdict would be dented.
On the flip side, if they stick to their peaceful approach, it would be an act of maturity that may help the nation overcome its deepening ideological division and get back on a unified path.
