Korean-Americans held a protest in front of a hotel in Washington, D.C., where the South Korean president was staying. Protesters chanted slogans accusing the president of being “anti-American, pro-Beijing, and pro–North Korean.” / Photo by D. Shin. @FreedomChosun
WASHINGTON --- A group of Korean Americans staged a demonstration on Sunday outside a hotel in the U.S. capital where the South Korean president Lee was staying, voicing sharp criticism of his policies and the legitimacy of his leadership.
Protesters accused the president Lee of being “anti-American, pro-Beijing, and pro–North Korean.”
Some demonstrators alleged that Lee had illegally sent $8 million (₩8 billion) to North Korea, urging the U.S. government to enforce United Nations sanctions more strictly.
Others challenged the outcome of South Korea’s most recent election, chanting that Lee Jae-myung was a “fake president” and demanding the release of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was recently detained.
In addition, the crowd declared, “We don’t want a pro-China republic!”
The protest drew attention not only for its pointed rhetoric but also for its setting, underscoring the role of the Korean diaspora in debates over Seoul’s political future.
"Lee Jae-myung has illegally sent a large sum of money to North Korea. This is a clear violation of U.N. sanctions. The U.S. government should arrest Lee Jae-myung!" - A Korena American in Washington is protesting in front of the hotel where South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is staying.