Insights

Possible marches and demonstrations as Moon Jae-in is elected as President

South Korea has elected Moon Jae-in, the son of North Korean refuges and a human rights lawyer who favours dialogue with North Korea, as their new President. Moon has held that US sanctions against the north are ineffective and that it is time to engage in meaningful dialogue with the country. His appointment has returned power to the liberals, after nearly a decade which has created a potential rift with the United States over North Korea’s nuclear programme. His victory follows a national drama in which a corruption scandal, mass protests and impeachment forced a South Korean President from office for the first time in almost 60 years. The drama has left the conservative establishment in disarray and its former leader in jail.

Those operating or residing in South Korea are advised to be aware of the election of Moon Jae-in as President. There may be victory marches and demonstrations in Seoul. Whilst any rallies that do take place are expected to remain peaceful and to pass without incident, due to the number of those who may attend it is advisable to avoid all large crowds.