Nationwide Candlelight Vigils Planned Amidst Emergency Martial Law Fallout

In response to the declaration and subsequent lifting of emergency martial law for the first time in 45 years, candlelight vigils are set to take place across major cities in South Korea on the afternoon of April 4, calling for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol. This marks the first simultaneous nationwide candlelight protests since the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016, eight years ago.

In Gwangju, a 'Gwangju Citizens' Rally' will commence at 7 PM at the former Jeonnam Provincial Office in Geumnam-ro, with an estimated attendance of around 1,000 people according to organizers. In Jeollanam-do, cities like Suncheon and Yeosu will also see nighttime candlelight cultural events organized by civic groups condemning the emergency martial law. A candlelight vigil is also scheduled in Jeonju at the Chunggyeong-ro intersection.

In Busan, a series of daily events titled 'Busan Citizens' Rally for the Immediate Resignation of Martial Law Offender Yoon Suk-yeol' will be held from the afternoon until early next week in Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu. In Ulsan, the Ulsan branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will hold a rally at 6 PM in front of the Lotte Department Store, demanding the resignation of the president.

The 'Yoon Suk-yeol Resignation Movement Headquarters in Gyeongnam' plans to hold a Gyeongnam Emergency National Assembly at 5 PM in Changwon Square. Park Jong-cheol, an executive member of the Gyeongnam Movement Headquarters, stated, "We plan to continue holding rallies every day at 6 PM until President Yoon resigns."

In Daegu, press conferences demanding President Yoon's resignation will take place in the plaza in front of Dongdaegu Station, with related events continuing into the afternoon. In Gangwon, the 'Yoon Suk-yeol Resignation Gangwon Movement Headquarters' will host a candlelight cultural event starting at 7 PM in the area around Seoksa-dong, Chuncheon.

Jeju will see a candlelight vigil organized by 21 groups, including the local branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and civic organizations, at 7 PM in front of the Jeju City Hall.

In Daejeon, the 'Yoon Suk-yeol Resignation Daejeon Movement Headquarters' and local civic groups will begin a rally around 7 PM at the Eunhasu Intersection in Seo-gu, with plans for further outreach and rallies in various locations.

Civic groups, labor unions, and religious organizations in Chungbuk are set to hold a candlelight vigil at 6 PM on Seongan-gil in Cheongju, followed by a march from Seongan-gil to Cheongju Bridge.

In the capital region, civic organizations are expected to participate in a rally at 6 PM in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.