On 3 October, tens of thousands of people took part in conservative protests against President Lee Jae-myung in central Seoul. The police estimated there were around 28,000 participants near Gwanghwamun and a further 9,000 or so at the People Power Party rally near Sungnyemun Gate. The protesters demanded the head of state’s resignation and criticised judicial reform and policy towards North Korea.
Briefly about the main points
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- The police estimated that the two main demonstrations attracted around 37,000 participants.
- The largest rally was organised by the Freedom and Unity Party.
- The PPP criticised the reform of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the changes to the Supreme Court.
- At some demonstrations, calls were made to restrict visa-free entry for Chinese nationals.
- The protests took place ahead of parliamentary scrutiny of the government’s work.
Two major demonstrations by the conservative opposition
The largest demonstration on Sejong-daero was organised by the Freedom and Unity Party, which is linked to a conservative pastor Jeon Kwan-hoon. It was dubbed the «National Rally for the Regime’s Resignation’ Lee Je-myung». The participants carried flags South Korea and the US, as well as posters calling for the president to be removed from office.
The main opposition party, the People Power Party (PPP), held a separate rally. Around 70 members of parliament took part, including the party leadership. For the PPP, this was the first major street demonstration in about a year.
Criticisms of judicial reform and the approach to the DPRK
Participants in the conservative demonstration called for the resumption of legal proceedings against the president. At some of the rallies, claims were also made about alleged election fraud, and support was expressed for the former president Yun Sok Yolu.
The PPP accused the Lee administration of undermining the independence of the judiciary through reforms to the public prosecution service and the expansion of the Supreme Court. The party also criticised the President’s response to the recent explosion of a North Korean landmine in the demilitarised zone, which injured three South Korean soldiers.
Anti-China rhetoric and unsubstantiated claims about the elections
Some participants in the conservative protests called for an end to visa-free entry for citizens CHINA and opposed the growing influence of China in the country. Claims have long been circulating in conservative circles about possible Chinese interference in the elections and its support for progressive candidates.
Following the 2025 presidential election, which was won by Lee Je-myung, no evidence of Beijing’s direct influence on the outcome of the vote was made public. The White House described the election as free and fair, whilst expressing broader concerns about Chinese political influence in democratic countries.
Rallies ahead of parliamentary scrutiny of the government
The protests took place on Korea’s Founding Day. On the same day, demonstrations by progressive organisations and a pro-Palestinian march were held in Seoul, resulting in partial road closures in the city centre.
The standoff between the Lee administration and the PPP has intensified in the run-up to parliamentary scrutiny of the government’s performance. The opposition is focusing its criticism on reforms to the public prosecution service, the judicial system, the economy and policy towards North Korea. In recent days, Lee has spoken of the need to resume dialogue with Pyongyang, whilst at the same time promising to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.
