On the 14th, the first weekend after rumors surfaced of an alleged deal to drop charges, pro-government supporters held rallies across downtown Seoul.
The Democratic Party Rights Members Group held a rally this afternoon in front of the Democratic Party office in Yeongdeungpo District calling for the party leader to resign.
One Democratic Party member who spoke from the stage said, "We want one thing from our party leader: to support the president and pursue politics for the people. He has never once supported the president," and warned that an outrageous situation is unfolding.
Another member accused Jang In-soo and the radio program News Factory of moving to undermine President Lee Jae-myung and to block the government's prosecution reforms, and urged the party to include Kim Eo-jun among those to be indicted. Participants shouted slogans such as "Indict Kim Eo-jun too" and "Jeong Cheong-rae, step down," and called on supporters to stand with the president.
Candlelight Action held its 182nd "Candlelight March" at 4 p.m. near Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 of the Seoul subway in Jongno District.
Protesters carried signs reading "Thoroughly reform the prosecution" and "Withdraw the government's prosecution-reform bill" as they demanded comprehensive changes to the prosecution system.
Kim Min-woong, Candlelight Action's executive representative, said prosecution reform — the task of uprooting entrenched corruption within the prosecution — is not merely another policy item but is directly tied to the legitimacy of a government based on popular sovereignty. "There is no room here for pragmatism," he said.
He urged the government to withdraw the prosecution-reform bill and leave its review and passage to the National Assembly. Participants responded with chants such as "The Lee Jae-myung administration should withdraw the prosecution-reform plan." After the rally, attendees planned to march toward the area near Cheongwadae Sarangchae.
