Seoul, May 3: A progressive civic group staged a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Saturday, accusing the United States of interfering in South Korea’s internal affairs.
According to police reports, approximately 500 demonstrators gathered in the Gwanghwamun area, holding placards that claimed the U.S. is undermining South Korea’s sovereignty. They specifically criticized the U.S. for allegedly requesting the lifting of an exit ban on Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of K-pop entertainment powerhouse HYBE, thereby meddling in domestic matters.
Yonhap News Agency reported that protesters accused the U.S. of “attacking” South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for his refusal to support the U.S. in its conflict with Iran and for attempting to expedite the return of wartime operational control from the U.S.
The demonstrators also condemned Washington for halting the sharing of intelligence related to North Korea. This action was reportedly taken after South Korea’s Minister of Unification, Chung Dong-young, unilaterally disclosed information about an undisclosed North Korean nuclear facility. Additionally, they criticized the U.S. decision to appoint Michelle Park Steel, a conservative former Republican lawmaker, as the new ambassador to South Korea.
Members of the civic group, known as “Candlelight Action,” marched from Jonggak Station to the embassy, where they held a rally. Police issued warnings via loudspeaker twice, urging them to disperse. The protesters complied peacefully, and no clashes occurred.
Earlier in the day, around 6,000 people participated in a separate demonstration led by a conservative group associated with radical pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon. They defended the brief martial law imposed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, arguing that leaders have the right to take such measures in times of national crisis.
In February 2026, both conservative and progressive groups held separate rallies, following a court’s life sentence for former President Yoon Suk-yeol for attempting to impose martial law in 2024, which sparked mixed reactions of anger and joy among the public.
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