PAJU, Gyeonggi Province – Hundreds of anti-North Korea protesters took to the streets just a few kilometers away from the site of the inter-Korean summit, calling for a hard-line stance on the North.    

Around 300 conservative protesters congregated near Imjingak in Paju, about 50 kilometers northwest of Seoul, to protest against President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s summit meeting. The protesters demand that Moon “stop the talk that only represents a false hope,” as he attends the first meeting of the two Koreas’ leaders since 2007.

Just a few hours after Kim shook hands with Moon, declaring “a new history,” the rally participants carried banners along with national flags, reading “It’s time to bomb North Korea,” or “Stop North Korea Genocide.”

“People must understand these talks with the North Korea dictator will only help the reclusive state’s nuclear and missile programs,” said Min Joong-hong, head of one of the anti-North Korea groups who led Friday’s rally. 

“We are urging the Moon administration to stop engaging with a fraudulent peace process with the North’s regime which continues to commit crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and imprisonment,” Min told The Korea Herald. 

During the protest, Min burnt a North Korean flag with the images of Kim and the regime’s late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, in front of the demonstrators who chanted “Step down, Moon Jae-in.” 

Another rally activist Kim Jung-koo, 54, said the government’s short-term focus on a peace talk will “sideline human rights violations” that take place in the regime.

“Is the government ready to address urgent issues, like North Korea’s human rights abuses and missile programs, or is the talk only for the sake of striking any deal with Pyongyang?” 

Separately, anti-North Korea activists also took part in a rally opposing the inter-Korean summit at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall.

“It’s just a political show,” said Kim Jae-myung, 63, member of a conservative civic group. “These guys are trying to shore up their liberal support base, and holding the summit is just a tool for that and nothing more. The summit only helps recognize the legitimacy of the North Korean regime,” Kim told demonstrators.


By Bak Se-hwan (sh@heraldcorp.com)