The demonstration is expected to be the largest anti-government demonstration since the “Anti-Nuclear Weapon, Anti-Kim Jong-il Citizens’ Demonstration,” led by 114 civic groups including the Korea Freedom League (KFL), held March 1 of last year. This is because religious groups, veterans’ organizations, youth groups, and the national elders who declared a “state of emergency” on Sept 9 are all expected to attend.

Police said they expected 200,000 people, the largest group since the 2002 World Cup, to converge in front of City Hall to condemn the government. The Citizen Movement Headquarters, which is supervising the event, said as more and more common citizens join in the demonstration, up to 400,000 might make their way to City Hall. The group also said they had decided to break through police opposition to march on Cheong Wa Dae in order to convey the resolute opposition of the people to abolishing the National Security Law.

Police are preparing for possible physical clashes with citizens. A police official said the 4,408 pyeong square in front of City Hall could accommodate only about 70,000, and confusion could reign in the areas around City Hall. In fact, some groups have organized an “attack unit” to break through police opposition. One civic group official said up till now, the government had surrounded anti-government demonstrations with dozens of police cars and ignored the voice of the people. This time, however, a group of about 300 composed of former special ops personnel who served in North Korea, ex-marines, and youth group members would break through police opposition, he said.

Police have decided to completely block off Taepyeong-no, which leads from Seoul City Hall to Cheong Wa Dae, and deploy water cannon vehicles in preparation for possible situations. Police will also continue to negotiate with the demonstration organizers to get them to march from City Hall to Jong-no or Eulji-ro rather than toward Gwanghwamun.

(englishnews@chosun.com )