Tens of thousands of S.Koreans stage demonstration against impeachment

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, March 14, 2004

Tens of thousands of S.Koreans stage demonstration against impeachment

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Tens of thousands of angry South Korean people, shouting "let's safeguard democracy," staged a candlelight vigil in Seoul Saturday to protest the parliamentary impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday.

The impeachment, pushed through by the nation's two main opposition parties, accused Roh of premature campaigning on behalfof a pro-government party for the April 15 parliamentary elections.

"Impeachment, null and void," shouted the crowd estimated by police at 50,000. Many waved small paper signs which read, "nullify impeachment" or "impeachment makes no sense."

The authorities deployed 7,000 police in the demonstration site in downtown Seoul, but there were no reports of clashes.

Meanwhile, smaller protest rallies were also held in several other provincial cities, including Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon and Chuncheon, local media reported.

It was the second day of mass public protests against the impeachment which many view as a political offensive by the opposition parties ahead of the mid-April parliamentary elections.

Local media reported that various public polls taken after the impeachment showed that more than seven out of every 10 South Koreans believe that the parliamentary move was wrong.

The South Korean Constitutional Court must make decision within180 days from Saturday whether endorse the impeachment or reverse it.

During this period of time, South Korean Prime Minister Goh Kunwill take over presidential rights to manage the state affairs.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

S.Korean people's concerns over impeachment of president grow

S.Korean parliament passes bill to impeach president

S.Korean president slams Koizumi

Indian navy to have two aircraft carriers by 2011 ( 4 Messages)

What's the meaning of Bush & Blair nominated as candidates for Nobel Peace Prize? ( 31 Messages)

Study: Americans eating themselves to death ( 7 Messages)

Japanese PM's remark on shrine visit leads to long-term cold relations with China: Kyodo ( 10 Messages)

French Presidents' China complex ( 4 Messages)