Saturday’s massive anti-government protest might have felt menacing to President Park Geun-hye and her allies, but it was a peaceful event for those who took to the streets filled with hope for a more resilient democracy.

The event kicked off at 4 p.m., but people started to gather from early in the afternoon with banners calling for the president’s resignation and candles for the vigil in the evening.

Artworks mocking the president and her now infamous friend Choi Soon-sil were installed at various spots at Gwanghwamun Square. Celebrities, and non-celebrities, performed in front of crowds both big and small. Ordinary people -- even elementary school students -- gave impromptu speeches on stage.

“It was so fun and peaceful. I am learning again that this is democracy,” Kang Soon-ja, a protestor in her late 50s, told The Korea Herald after taking a photo with an artist dressed up as Choi Soon-sil at Gwanghwamun Square. 

People from all walks of life came to the rally, from unionized workers to religious leaders, high-school students and parents with children. It drew over 1 million, according to organizers, marking the largest anti-government protest since the country’s democratization in 1987.

“I was at the forefront of fighting for democracy during the democratic uprising in June 1987. Back then, we had to risk our lives to confront the government,” a 53-year-old surnamed Shin said.

“Now, we can peacefully march through central Seoul and raise our voices. I feel so overwhelmed.”

Scores of others told The Korea Herald that they felt overwhelmed to be part of “a historic moment.” Expressing anger at Park’s friend Choi, a civilian, “running the country behind the scenes,” they said that joining the rally was the least they could do to salvage the country’s democracy.

“This government has made fools of Korean citizens. We have put up with the government failing to deal with the Sewol ferry disaster, but this time I have had enough of President Park Geun-hye,” said Choi Myung-ok, 44, who came to the scene with her family.

“I cannot feel helpless anymore. It is a chance to learn that we should better oversee those in power.”

Yoon Song-yi, 37, who brought her 6-year-old child, said that she wanted to teach her what democracy was.

“When my child asked me who this country’s owner was, I wanted to teach her it was us – Koreans -- not a handful of powerful people,” she said. “I was not interested in politics before, but I had to come because I want my child to live in a better society.” 

There were many teenagers in school uniform.

Kim Beom-geun, 18, traveled for hours to Seoul on a chartered bus to join the rally.

“I will be eligible to vote in a couple of years. I came here to watch and learn so that I will not make such mistakes in the future,” said Kim, who came from Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

“Hearing all these people shouting in one voice, I feel my mind filling up.”

A 69-year-old man, who wanted to be identified only by his surname Kim, said, “I gave her a vote because I trusted her. How can she betray us like this?

“Why should only powerless people abide by the law when all the powerful people break the law?”

Three opposition parties also joined the rally, along with their presidential hopefuls.

Among them were Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea, Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party and Park Won-soon, the Seoul mayor.

“Some worry if the president steps down, there will be chaos. But the fact that she stays in her position is only making the situation worse. I demand for her to resign,” said Ahn during the rally.

Moon, the former chairman of the Democratic Party, said the president had already been impeached by public sentiment, if not yet by law.

“I ask President Park to sincerely hear the voices of thousands of people holding candles here and answer them,” he said. “If Park has any patriotism left in her, and if she still cares about the nation, she should react and heed the public’s call.”

At the rally, various groups also voiced their opposition to a series of policies by the Park administration, including labor market reforms, the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and the reinstatement of state-authored history textbooks.

AT several locations, right-wing civic groups and Park’s supporters held counter rallies to condemn anti-Park protestors for “plunging the country into chaos,” calling them “North Korean sympathizers.” They argued that Park’s presidency should be protected.

It was the first time that all major roads connected to central Seoul were opened to protestors. The police earlier imposed partial bans on several planned marches, citing traffic disruption, but the decisions were reversed by the court.

“Allowing assemblies demanding Park Geun-hye’s resignation to be held near the presidential office is a way to prove South Korea is a democratic country,” the court said in the ruling.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com) 
         Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)