‘One million’ South Koreans ask president to step down

Over one million South Koreans have staged peaceful rallies in Seoul, demanding that President Park Geun-hye steps down from office.

The rally, which held on Saturday, is reportedly the largest held in the country since 1987 when about the same number of people protested against the military rule.

Park is accused of attempted fraud and abuse of authority. Despite two apologies, the South Korean people are asking Park to step down.

It was observed that at the rally, angry people were seen shouting for the president’s resignation. They were holding up posters and candles to that effect.

Last Saturday, about 200,000 people were reported to have turned out for the rally in Seoul but despite the huge number, demonstrators stayed calm and rallied peacefully.

It is also said that about 25,000 police officers have been deployed to prevent any violence or any march to the presidential office.

This Saturday’s rally is expected to become a turning point to determine the fate of Park and her ruling Saenuri Party.

According to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, Park’s approval rating stayed at five per cent for two weeks in a row, the lowest for any South Korean president.

Another poll showed that more than 60 percent of respondents said she should step down or be impeached.