[From the scene] ‘Candle Revolution not yet complete’

Marking one year from the start of the peaceful grassroots movement that led to the ouster of embattled President Park Geun-hye, South Koreans on Saturday brought out their candles once again.

With memories of the past winter’s movement still vivid, they celebrated how they turned the country upside-down with candles. Park and her clique are behind bars, a new reform-minded president is in office and some of the country’s most powerful state organs -- the police, prosecution and spy agency -- are weathering a perfect storm of reform. 

Amid the festivities, participants in the anniversary event said the “Candle Revolution” is not complete yet. They called for a wide range of political, social and economic reforms to eradicate the “deep-rooted evil” in the society. 

“I think the candlelight vigils showed Korean people hope that this unfair society could change through our actions. I came here to celebrate it,” said Choi Mi-young, one of the 60,000 in attendance, according to the rally organizer, who gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, the main site of last year’s candlelit demonstrations.

“Now I know that society can change if we raise our voices,” Choi, 38, said. “The candles should continue to be lit to remind the Moon Jae-in administration that it should work for Korean people.”

The candlelight movement began on Oct. 29, 2016, with some 30,000 people protesting against then-President Park in the face of allegations she let her friend Choi Soon-sil involve herself in state affairs despite having no formal government position. 

The anti-Park rally grew week after week in scale as more Koreans became enraged by the series of revelations implicating Park. An estimated 2.32 million people poured into the streets in the sixth rally on Dec. 3, making it the largest protest in the nation’s history.

The movement eventually led the divided parliament to impeach Park on Dec. 9. The Constitutional Court finalized her expulsion from power on March 13. Through some 23 rallies, a cumulative 17 million people joined some 23 rallies over a six-month period.

Park is on trial accused of abusing her presidential power and colluding with her friend Choi Soon-sil to receive bribes from conglomerates, including Samsung Group. She recently boycotted her own trial, calling it “a political retaliation in the name of law.”

For many, it was a chance to learn about how democracy should work. 

“For me, I realized I had to care more about social and political issues,” Kim Hyun-kyung, 42, who came with her child. “For Korean society, I think it was a starting point to change politics and make society more equal to everyone.”

“I will keep a close tab on the government and take action if necessary.”

On Saturday, the rally participants demanded the government fix ills they believe have long gripped the country -- ranging from corrupt ties between politicians and business tycoons to an economic and social system that disproportionately benefits the rich. 

Their demands include a thorough investigation into former President Lee Myung-bak, Park’s predecessor suspected of using the nation’s spy agency to meddle in the 2012 presidential election in favor of Park and crack down on liberals.

“I believe there is still much corruption that was not revealed. The prosecution should investigate Lee and arrest him. It is not political retaliation. We should reform what should be reformed,” said Yoo Soon-duk, 54.

“Powerful politicians should know that they could be punished, too.”

Throughout the rally, they held up placards reading “Arrest Lee Myung-bak,” “Reform the National Intelligence Service” and “The completion of the Candlelight Movement is political reform.”

Under the slogan “Candle continues,” the rally at Gwanghwamun Square began at around 6 p.m.

Like last fall and winter, there were families pushing strollers with their young children inside, friends taking selfies with protestors in the background and groups of activists carrying flags and banners. 

“I felt a burden last year (about removing Park from power), but now I feel comfortable here. I came here to enjoy it,” said Kim Min-kyung, 46, who came with his 14-year-old daughter.

“I think our sincerity against injustice was expressed through candles. I hope this country serves the public from now on,” he said. “I came here in hope that our wishes from a year ago could be realized.”

At a stage set up at Gwanghwamun Square videos showed scenes of the candlelit protests from a year ago and speeches by activists and rally participants were made. Several musicians, including the Jeon In-kwon Band and Kwon Jin-won, also performed.  

Park’s removal from power does not only mean an end to her political life, but an end to a system dominated by privilege, said the association of liberal civic groups that hosted the event.

“Because you are here, the history of democracy continues on. I would like to express my gratitude for the days we spent together with you,” they said.

The event was also attended by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s chief Choo Mi-ae and floor leader Woo Won-shik. 

Before the main event, many civic groups -- speaking up for the disabled, students, irregular workers and sexual minorities, among other groups -- held rallies at separate locations to get their various messages across.

Some expressed their opposition to US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit scheduled for Nov. 7-8, campaigning for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

“Regardless of what we want, Trump talks of the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula. We are an independent country. Trump treats our land, our sea and our airspace like it is the US property,” said Catholic priest Moon Jeong-hyeon near the US Embassy.

“The US acts as if it is occupying South Korea. The US is a country that causes war. It is the axis of evil,” he said while carving a saying “Peaceful Korean Peninsula” on a wooden board.

A separate event to mark the first anniversary of the protests was organized in front of the National Assembly, revealing what appeared to be a rift among the people who once held up candles together to unseat Park.

Some 10,000 participants, mostly supporters of President Moon, boycotted the main event at Gwanghwamun Square in defiance of the organizing committee’s decision to march toward the presidential office.

They argue the candles should head to the National Assembly building for its inaction on proposed reforms, not Cheong Wa Dae. Criticism should particularly be directed at the conservative opposition parties blocking the passage of key reform bills, they said.

The Gwanghwamun rally organizers gave up the planned march, though labor unions still went ahead with it at 9:10 p.m.

Marking the first anniversary of the massive candlelit protests that paved the way for him to take office, President Moon on Saturday highlighted his policy push to uphold the spirit of the candlelight vigils and root out corruption.

“Although there could be varying opinions on how, everybody can be like-minded when it comes to the cause to eradicate long-lived (social) evils,” Moon said during a meeting with Korean businessmen from overseas.

When some hailed the candlelight movement as a symbol of democracy or victory for the people, others dismissed it as a political tool for North Korean sympathizers seeking to overthrow the liberal democracy.

Just hundreds of meters away from Gwanghwamun Square, avid Park supporters, mostly advanced in age, also staged a rally from the afternoon in the central area encompassing the Gwanghwamun interchange through Seoul Plaza to Namdaemun gate.

Since Park was ousted, they have held rallies to defend Park and demand her release from jail. They also argued that the candlelight movement was organized by North Korean sympathizers and joined by those brainwashed by “pro-North Korea leftists.”

Some 1,500 police officers were dispatched at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday and the rallies were held in a peaceful manner. There were no clashes, water cannons or thick barricades formed by police buses.

By Ock Hyun-ju(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)