The Citizen Movement Against the Iraq Deployment blocked off one of Jong-no’s lanes in Gwanghwamun to hold a “Do-or-Die Candlelight March Against the Iraq Deployment.” At the demonstration, in which police estimate about 1,000 citizens participated, Rep. Noh Hoi-chan of the Democratic Labor Party appeared as a speaker and said both the ruling and opposition parties were forcing through the deployment in violation of the basic spirit of the constitution, which condemns all wars of invasion.

Members of civic groups hold a candle light vigil to oppose the nation’s planned troop dispatch to Iraq in downtown Seoul on Saturday night. /Yonhap

Once the demonstration finished, the participants attempted to march on the U.S. Embassy at 10:00 p.m., but were stopped by the 24 companies of police that were deployed for the occasion. Some scuffling took place, but the demonstration dissolved at around 10:30 without much incident.

Another group composed of about 20 victims from the Pacific War held an opening ceremony in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, after which they visited Uri Party headquarters and the National Assembly to condemn the decision to send troops to Iraq. Hunger-striking students with the Korea Federation of General Student Councils (Korean: Hanchongnyeon) also conducted some propaganda warfare of their own, holding a demonstration in front of Woori Bank in Myeongdong on Saturday morning.

(englishnews@chosun.com )