Candlelight Vigils End

Commencing on March 13, last candlelight vigil continued through March 27.

The candlelight vigils that took place peacefully for fifteen days, gathering more than 1.5 million, were revered for originating a new culture of demonstration.

Particularly, it was recorded as the largest one since the “6·10 demonstration for democratization” in 1987, and accordingly, it is significant in that it demonstrated public opinion that opposes presidential impeachment.

The demonstration provoked criticism, however, over disputes concerning its legality, conservative groups’ opposition to it, the Election Management Committee’s disapproval, and arrest warrants for key leaders. At the same time, it brought about various topics with regard to citizens` participation in national administration and restrictions in assembling or demonstrating.

Amid such controversy, many people became doubtful as to its suitability in realizing representative democracy.

The first candlelight vigil was staged on March 13, a day after impeachment was approved in the National Assembly. A coalition composed of approximately 550 civic groups started candlelight demonstration that day in Jongro, Seoul. On the weekend of March 20, more than a million candles were lighted in all parts of the country, including 130,000 in Seoul.

As the police ruled it illegal, the organizers changed the style of the demonstrations to cultural events, but it was still politically-influenced.

The candlelight demonstration, along with the pro-impeachment rally by conservative groups, revealed true realities of our society as a discord in public opinion was reflected in the streets. Moreover, with the general election near at hand, many people were worried about its possibility of the demonstrations to be politically based.

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com