[Yonhap News Photo]
More than 200,000 protesters gathered in central Seoul Saturday for a huge rally calling for the resignation of South Korea's disgraced President Park Geun-hye stricken by a scandal involving her longtime friend.
The avenue and its side streets leading to the presidential mansion were packed with opposition politicians, activists, citizens, and even housewives. Some carried anti-government placards demanding Park's fall.
It was the biggest anti-government rally for decades. Police said less than 200,000 people turned out before night fell, while organizers put the number of participants at more than 500,000.
The main rally is set to start at around 6:00 pm (0900 GMT) at a public square several kilometers away from the presidential mansion, which has been guarded by some 25,000 riot police.
Park apologized twice for the scandal involving her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, who was accused of meddling in state affairs and wresting money from businessmen. The president also suggested she would appoint a prime minister recommended by parliament in an attempt to assuage public anger.
Opposition parties turned down Park's offer, urging the president to stay away from politics, transfer a large portion of her power to a prime minister and act as a symbolic figurehead for the remaining term of her office.
Public sentiment has boiled up as South Korea's media unveiled dirty and shady deals and collusion involving Park's close associates and confidants.
Choo Mi-ae, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, declared the start of a "glorious revolution" by citizens, threatening to lead a full-scale public campaign to force Park's resignation if she continues to ignore popular demands.
"President Park tarnished the image of our country, making it the subject of an international derision and laugh," Choo said. "Because she abandoned our country, the people did so."
Aju News Lim Chang-won and Park Sae-jin
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
