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| Korean students and activists stage a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday, voicing support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and criticizing China's crackdown. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
In a string of movements supporting the democracy protests in Hong Kong, South Korean students gathered again Tuesday, demanding that authorities stop suppressing the protesters.
"We condemn the suppression and support the Hong Kong protests," Park Hae-shin, one of the organizers of the event, said. "We hope the solidarity and support from Korea will reach the protesters in Hong Kong who are standing firm."
Despite the chilly weather, dozens of students convened near the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, a neighborhood known as a shopping destination for foreign tourists, who mostly come from Asian countries like China.
A minor scuffle occurred before the event planned for 11 a.m. as a police squad blocked the students from moving toward the embassy. No serious clashes were reported.
Officers from the Namdaemun Police Station told the students to end the protest, saying they were blocking the road and holding a rally within 100 meters of the embassy without giving notice.
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| Protesters hold banners with Korean or English messages critical of China's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
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| Korean police block protesters marching toward the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
But the students said they were there to hold a press conference, not a rally.
"Our international solidarity is important," Han Su-jin, a student at Korea University, said. "The Korean people have to also stand up against Xi Jinping and Carrie Lam."
One participant read a letter written by a student at Ewha Womans University who heads the Seoul-based college's association of Hong Kong students.
"Hong Kong is our home and hometown. We love Hong Kong more than anyone and are deeply hurt. We are not trying to claim Hong Kong's independence through the protests. We are protecting democracy that the people of Hong Kong had enjoyed."
Participants wrapped up the gathering by chanting slogans in Korean and English ― "Stand with Hong Kong! Support Hong Kong!" ― and marching around Myeongdong.
They also shouted "Five demands, not one less," referring to the five demands of the protesters, including full withdrawal of an extradition bill and retracting the labeling of protesters as "rioters."
The participants said they will hold a rally this weekend and march in the city center.
The pro-democracy protests that started in mid-June have shown no signs of abating. People took to the streets demanding that Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam withdraw a controversial bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, which critics argue may undermine Hong Kong's democracy.
While Hong Kong's legislature has formally withdrawn the bill, the protests have intensified amid violent standoffs between protesters and police and claims by protesters that they were tortured by authorities. (Yonhap)






