Anti-Impeachment Demonstrations Scheduled in Seoul
Korea-related Security Alert From the US Embassy’s Warden System:
The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following information through the Embassy’s warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Saturday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m. two demonstrations are planned in the Kwangwhamun area. A pro-impeachment rally drawing up to 10,000 participants will be held at the corner of the Dong-A Duty Free Building at the corner of Semunan-gil and Taepyungro-1ga (one block south of the Embassy). An anti-impeachment protest is scheduled during the same time at the Kyobo Building (one block south the Embassy) with up to 50,000 people taking part.
On Sunday, March 28, at 5:00 p.m. up to 20,000 supporters of impeachment will gather at the Dong-A Duty Free Building. At 7:00 p.m. 500 opponents of impeachment will hold their nightly assembly at the Kyobo building.
On Saturday, police will deploy a total of 40 companies (approximately 4,500 police) in the Kwangwhamun area to maintain order. Starting at 5:00 p.m. police plan to surround the Embassy with buses and riot police. At the time this notice was prepared, police had not made a decision regarding surrounding the Embassy with buses for Sunday’s demonstrations.
Political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent. American citizens should exercise caution and avoid gatherings of large groups in order to minimize risk to their personal safety. Police will close roads to vehicle traffic as necessary.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community informed of any changes in the overall security situation. To hear a recording of the most up-to-date security information affecting U.S. citizens in Korea, please call 02-397-4114 and press the following series of numbers: 1, 1, 1, 7. In addition, notices concerning security matters will also be broadcast on AFNK television and radio. The Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy or via the Internet at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/seoul or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.