On National Foundation Day (October 3rd), Freedom University, which paved the way for a large-scale rally after winning an administrative injunction against police restrictions, marched while waving South Korean and American flags, chanting slogans such as "China Out," "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," and "Free President Yoon." / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo · Freedom University live stream capture.

Amidst the Chuseok holiday, large-scale rallies by patriotic conservative civic groups and coalitions were held throughout downtown Seoul. The response from citizens to the Freedom University rally held in the Jongno, Dongdaemun, and Gwanghwamun areas on the afternoon of October 3rd, National Foundation Day, was explosive.

On social media (SNS), news that "the police, who had expected about 3,000 participants, faced internal chaos upon seeing 30,000 people gather—ten times the estimate" spread rapidly, reflecting the significant public interest.

Freedom University, along with conservative groups such as the Election Fraud and Corruption Prevention Corps (Bubangdae) and individual civilian participants, marched from Dongdaemun Station (Subway Lines 1 and 4) at 2:40 PM toward Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu. While waving South Korean and American flags, participants shook red balloons emblazoned with the phrase "We are Charlie Kirk" and chanted "China Out," "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," and "Free President Yoon." This is the first time Freedom University has independently organized a large-scale rally.

A sign reading "Emergency Martial Law is not an insurrection" stands at the Freedom University rally site in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

The Freedom University leadership, which spearheaded the rally, strongly asserted that "the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold the impeachment was the result of the judiciary abandoning its inherent duties and adopting distorted evidence not based on facts."

They further declared, "Today's anger will be our driving force. Freedom University will never stop. We will fight until the end until we eradicate anti-national forces, reclaim the truth, uphold justice, and restore liberal democracy."

Co-moderators Choi Si-ah (left) and Freedom University Representative Park Jun-young lead the event on stage on the 3rd. / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

When co-moderator Choi Si-ah asked Representative Park Jun-young about his recent visit to the White House, Park wittily expressed his optimism for the restoration of liberal democracy: "I was grateful to receive energy from many American patriotic citizens. The day will soon come when all members of Freedom University will visit the United States."

Choi also received a warm response by replying, "Watching the rallies in America via broadcast, I am truly grateful that there are people in the U.S. who are fighting for our country."

Representative Park noted, "Because we won the administrative lawsuit against the police yesterday, we were able to freely shout 'China Out,' 'Get out, Communist Party,' and other slogans during today’s march."

Patriotic youth gathered in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd to observe the rally. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had issued a notice intending to restrict hateful and insulting remarks regarding Freedom University's rally application. However, the organizers filed for an injunction, and the Seoul Administrative Court granted a partial stay of execution, allowing the rally to proceed as planned.

Furthermore, Representative Park lamented, "The very fact that there are such restrictions is evidence that another group is trying to steal our land, the Republic of Korea. The reality is that we have even lost the power to create laws because we have been deprived of our elections."

Choi retorted, "Although we won the lawsuit, the Democratic Party of Korea is trying to enact anti-protest laws from the start. If they can't succeed through the law, they just make new laws—that is their nature."

A large crowd gathered for the liberal democracy restoration rally hosted by Freedom University on National Foundation Day, the 3rd. / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

They also asked whether the land we live on is truly a liberal democracy or a communist state, noting, "They impose no restrictions on the far-left who march in the middle of the streets of Seoul holding slogans of regime overthrow, yet they suppress those who prefer and support the liberal democratic system by saying they dislike the Communist Party."

The moderators stated, "President Yoon Suk-yeol is the one who enlightened us about the situation of the Republic of Korea, which is falling apart. Through President Yoon's martial law, we patriotic citizens and youth realized that liberal democracy and the rule of law are collapsing, our national sovereignty is being stolen by another ethnic group through fraudulent elections, and this country is on the verge of communization."

Patriotic youth gathered in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd to observe the rally. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

They then loudly chanted slogans such as "Verify the election fraud," "Denounce the fake impeachment," and "Yoon Again."

They reviewed the progress, saying, "Following the first declaration of the current political situation at Yonsei University, 40 universities nationwide, including Seoul National University and Korea University, joined the anti-impeachment movement. Freedom University was naturally born as university students gathered to protect the values of liberal democracy."

The moderators emphasized, "Freedom University, which held its first protest march at Daehangno on the March 1st Independence Movement Day, blocked President Yoon's illegal impeachment by staying up all night at the Constitutional Court. Despite these efforts, the Constitutional Court, with its shattered constitutional values, passed the impeachment. Although the situation was very difficult, we marched in front of the Presidential residence in Hannam-dong on April 8th, shouting 'Yoon Again' with the mindset of 'Never Surrender'."

Since the rallies at Daehangno and Hannam-dong, Freedom University has raised its voice by visiting crowded places such as Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam, Seongsu, and Myeong-dong.

Foreigners were frequently seen cheering during the Freedom University street march on the 3rd. A Westerner is seen holding up an American flag to cheer on the marchers. / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

The moderators announced, "Even now, with a fraudulent presidential election having taken place and a fake president elected, we are never giving up and continue to fight. We are joined not only by ourselves but by numerous youth organizations, who are here with us today. Also, there are young people across the country continuing one-person protests all night at the National Election Commission."

After the moderators' introduction, the youth conducting the one-person protests and members of 'Taejuni' and 'Taedori' came onto the stage carrying large South Korean flags to greet the gathered citizens.

In today's event, prior to the special guest speeches, a tribute ceremony was held to honor war veterans. A talk show and a dance musical performance featuring the passion of youth were also prepared.

A South Korean flag performance is taking place on the stage of the rally hosted by Freedom University in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

Baek Ji-won, former spokesperson for the People Power Party, who took the stage as the first speaker, shouted, "A criminal became president and arrested former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook. This is an era where you are oppressed just for calling right as right and wrong as wrong; an era where you are targeted for witch hunts just for speaking about the principle of annihilating communism. Our anger is no longer a choice; it is an era's mission and a political duty."

Kim Mi-young, representative of 'Patriotic Banners,' pointed out, "The Republic of Korea has been completely ruined by pro-China traitors and thieving gangs, but the reason most citizens do not know about China's influence is because the media is blocking the eyes and ears of the people."

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, urged people not to give up, saying, "Even if you have to crawl, you must reach the destination." / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, emphasized, "This is an unfavorable fight, a fight where we are cornered, but even if we have to crawl, we must reach our destination. Even if it is hard, we must not give up. Fighting to the end is not just about protecting myself, but about protecting the free Republic of Korea and its history. If we hold hands and stand up together, that itself becomes the power of the people and the power of the Republic of Korea."

He further requested, "If we close our eyes now, we may become a Republic of Korea that has to close its eyes, cover its ears, and seal its lips forever. The people are by our side and behind us. Let us stand in front of the people; please run with us until the end."

Jung Yu-ra, who could not attend due to a schedule conflict, said in a video message, "I heard Freedom University is holding a rally with the agenda of 'never surrendering.' I also waited for 10 years and suffered a lot, but I never gave up. Rather than dividing within the conservative camp, please gather your strength so we can fight more intensely against the leftists."

Patriotic youth gathered in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd to observe the rally. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

Representative Jeon Han-gil, who is staying in the United States, also emphasized through a video, "Whether overseas or in the Republic of Korea, the voice seeking to protect liberal democracy and the Republic of Korea is one. On this National Foundation Day, those who wish to protect the Korea-U.S. alliance, defend liberal democracy, and guard a country where the rule of law, fairness, and common sense are respected, please shout 'Let’s fight!' and 'Let’s win!' If people like this stand up, the Republic of Korea will change."

The representative of Ground C also urged via video message, "The Republic of Korea is currently in an unprecedented crisis, but I believe the power, marches, and rallies of our patriotic citizens gathered here will change the Republic of Korea. The power to turn oppression into freedom, falsehoods into truth, a socialist pro-China system into a liberal democracy, and above all, to end the Lee Jae-myung regime early, lies right here. Let us absolutely never give up and keep fighting."

The event venue viewed from the archway of the Gwanghwamun gate (bottom). On this day, MZ generation youth were packed without a single space to step, from the eastern end to the western end of the Gwanghwamun stone wall (top). / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo · YouTube channel Youth Voice TV stream capture.

Freedom University presented a plaque of appreciation to the family of hero Kim Jung-hee, who was promoted to the youngest sergeant among female police officers in the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency. Hero Kim Jung-hee had previously led enlightenment activities for soldiers and the people of Gangwon-do by reading a resolution immediately after the Korean War.

Plaques of appreciation were also delivered to the families of war veterans, including △Song Jun-yong (served in the White Horse Division, participated in the Vietnam War as a staff officer), △Kim Jong-hun (defended Baengnyeong Island in the West Sea during the Korean War), △Jo Young-hwan (participated in the Highland Battles during the Korean War, served as commander of the Eulji Division search unit), and △Kim Jin-hwan (Korean War veteran).

Freedom University hosted a large-scale patriotic rally in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. Pictured is a youth waving a large South Korean flag. / Youth Voice TV stream capture.

The daughter of hero Jo Young-hwan took the microphone and urged, "My late father was injured by the Chinese army's human-wave tactics during the Highland Battles. He is currently at the Daejeon National Cemetery. Freedom in the Republic of Korea was not obtained for free, so you young people must keep your wits about you."

Freedom University replied, "The reason we can gather here today and shout for freedom is because there were people who gave up everything to fight for the country and freedom. The heroes raised their children as patriotic warriors, and those warriors have gathered here to accompany the steps to protect freedom. We are grateful to those who opened the heavens for a free Korea, and we will inherit that spirit and move forward to the end without ever surrendering."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, who participated as a special guest speaker at the rally hosted by Freedom University on the 3rd, is giving a speech. / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, first shared the news that he had visited the imprisoned President Yoon as his first schedule after returning from the United States, stating, "President Yoon was confident, and his will to protect the country had not changed at all, so my heart broke seeing that. He was illegally arrested because he declared martial law to protect the country and to fight against election fraud."

Hwang continued, "A certain American I met in the U.S. said his father came here during the Korean War to fight to protect Korea from becoming a communist country and returned, and that it is heartbreaking to see Korea moving toward a communist country now."

Furthermore, "I told officials from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), where seven people have joined the Trump cabinet, about the election fraud in the Republic of Korea and how democracy is collapsing. I visited the Heritage Foundation and delivered all the evidence of election fraud I possess, and I also met with Ambassador Morse Tan and Dr. Grant Newsham," he said.

Freedom University hosted a large-scale patriotic rally in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. Pictured is a staff member at the site. / Youth Voice TV stream capture.

He also noted, "Bart Marcois (former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy) says that in communism, the same political patterns are repeated. First is election fraud, second is the suppression of the church. In the Republic of Korea, election fraud and the suppression of the church are being committed simultaneously. Third is political suppression of opposition parties, media suppression, and corruption among prosecutors. Doesn't this 'pattern of collapsing democracy' that he listed fit us perfectly?" he asked, appealing, "The Republic of Korea is in a crisis. Please join us on this great journey to stop the Lee Jae-myung regime, protect the liberal democratic market economy, and defend a free Republic of Korea. Please gather your strength to save the Republic of Korea. Then, we free citizens will surely win the war."

Former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook appealed, "As long as we raise our voices of surveillance, the dictatorial regime will surely collapse," urging everyone to unite and fight. / Photo = Hanmi Ilbo.

Min Kyung-wook, a former National Assembly member of the United Future Party (predecessor to the People Power Party), urged patriotic citizens to unite, saying, "If Lee Jae-myung were a person elected through a proper election, we might have been able to tell him to 'please do better' while correcting his mistakes. But Lee Jae-myung ascended to the presidency through the unjust method of election fraud and is only acting as president. We can tell this from the undignified behavior he showed when he met President Trump."

As the standing representative of the 4.15 Election Fraud National Struggle Headquarters, who has led the street struggle against election fraud, former Assemblyman Min earnestly appealed, "As long as we raise our voices of surveillance, the dictatorial regime will surely collapse. Let’s fight together until it falls, not in a year or two, but until it is gone."

Youth are watching and cheering for the stage at the rally hosted by Freedom University in Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. / Photo = Youth Voice TV stream capture.

The final speaker, Lee Eun-taek, representative of 'Law and Us' and a North Korean defector, said, "If young people who hold South Korean and American flags in their hands and express gratitude to the U.S. for protecting the Republic of Korea are extreme rightists, then what should Jung Chung-rae, Im Jong-seok, and Lee Jae-myung be?" He added, "Lee Jae-myung says our friends are making trouble with anti-China rallies, but we have nothing to be grateful for to China. China is a country that has invaded our land for 5,000 years."

He continued to present a strong critical opinion, "If the Chinese Communist Party hadn't stepped foot in this land with North Korea's Kim Il-sung, would South and North Korea be divided like this? Why does Lee Jae-myung get so desperate when we shout anti-China slogans? It's because he is a puppet of China who must be liquidated."

Kim Jin-il, Supreme Council member of the Freedom and Innovation Party; Kim Jung-sik, former spokesperson for the People Power Party; and Lee Myung-jun, representative of the Student Voice, are conducting a talk show. / Photo = YouTube channel Youth Voice TV stream capture.

In Part 2, which began with FLD's patriotic hip-hop dance, Kim Jin-il, Supreme Council member of the Freedom and Innovation Party; Kim Jung-sik, former spokesperson for the People Power Party; and Lee Myung-jun, representative of the Student Voice, conducted a talk show.

Following this, they presented a stage designed like a semi-university festival, centered on musical performances, curtain calls, and band performances. Groups such as Ilshichung, Patriotic Raccoon Squad, Mincho Rebels, Picket Squad, BOSS, How-Chin, Patriotic Keyring Squad, and Torch Youth Squad joined the march and mingled together during the after-party stage.

In Part 2, designed like a sophisticated university festival, they showcased sensory performances unique to the MZ generation, such as patriotic hip-hop dance, talk shows, musicals, and band performances. / Photo = Freedom University Live · Youth Voice TV stream capture.

Another point that stood out in this rally was its organizational management. Participants marched while following designated routes and adhering to basic guidelines regarding noise and traffic, and the organizers placed personnel at the front and back of the march to maintain order for the two hours until they reached Gwanghwamun. The police also took meticulous care of traffic control and safety management until the event ended.

As the event concluded, Freedom University stated its position that "we will continue to express the views of patriotic conservatives within the legal framework in the future."

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