After President Park Geun-hye’s mea culpa Friday, eyes are fixed on the upcoming rally in Seoul on Saturday for any sign of a shift in public sentiment toward the embattled leader.

Police predict some 40,000 participants for the second major rally since the Choi Soon-sil scandal surfaced. It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul.

The rally organizers -- an association of labor unions, student groups and civic organizations -- say nearly 100,000 people could turn up, larger than the first one which took place on Oct. 29. 

The anti-Park protest is to coincide with the funeral for an activist farmer who died after being knocked down by a police water cannon during an anti-government rally last year.

Baek Nam-gi, 69, died on Sept. 25, but his funeral has been delayed for more than a month amid controversy as to whether an autopsy is necessary to determine his cause of death. The funeral service is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Seoul National University Hospital.

Police, while saying they would “flexibly” respond to protesters, decided to disapprove of the organizers’ plan to march across central Seoul after the rally, citing possible traffic disruption.

Police are said to be mulling ways to keep the rally under control without using measures such as water cannons, as they are mindful of public sentiment and possible backlash against them.

The Police have been embroiled in controversy over the use of force, with civic groups slamming them for using “excessive” force and oppressing freedom to public assembly.

During last weekend’s rally, the police appeared to avoid violence at all costs. The protest was dispersed after a three-hour confrontation as police lined up to block marching toward the presidential office.

Hong Wan-seon, chief of the Jongno Police Station, even said through a loud speaker: “We understand how worried you are about this nation and how much you love this nation, but you are occupying main roads.”

Jeong Won-jae, a 31-year-old officer worker, said that he was surprised by the “respectful attitude” of the police. “I was angry that police still did not open a way for protesters toward the presidential office, but I felt that they were respectful.”

Despite President Park’s second apology in a televised address, some associations of teachers, students and civic groups released statements demanding Park step down. 

By Ock Hyun-ju / (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)