(Minghui.org) A number of non-governmental organizations, politicians and Falun Gong practitioners held a rally on Seoul Plaza in Seoul, South Korea on July 22, 2012 to condemn the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 13-year persecution of Falun Gong. After the rally, a memorial service was held to commemorate the Falun Gong practitioners who lost their lives in the persecution. The South Korean Falun Dafa Association released a statement condemning the CCP’s brutal persecution.

Participants in a July 22 rally in Seoul to condemn the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong

“The CCP's persecution of Falun Gong is inconceivable”

Standing member Mr. Houng of the Democratic and Peaceful Reunion Council, a constitutional organization directly reporting to the President of South Korea, said at the rally that he participated in the World Falun Dafa Day celebration last May and was very moved by the practitioners’ open and peaceful mindset. He was so impressed that he has begun to practice Falun Dafa since then.

Standing member Mr. Houng of the Democratic and Peaceful Reunion Council, a constitutional organization directly reporting to the President of South Korea.

Mr. Houng continued, “In parks, along the roadside, and on the playgrounds of South Korean schools, one can see Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises together in a group. We see that Falun Gong practitioners are from all walks of life. But such a great practice is being persecuted in China. It is inconceivable. The large number of people practicing Falun Gong benefits the country and society. However, the CCP is attempting to eliminate it. Therefore, the CCP should be eliminated.”

Former Mayor Lee of Gwangmyeong City

Former Mayor Lee of Gwangmyeong City said at the rally, “It is not China but the CCP that is persecuting Falun Gong. One must differentiate between China and the CCP. In other parts of the world, a practice that teaches one to be a good person is to be protected.”

City Council member: I hope the persecution ends soon

Seoul City Council member Lee said in a speech at the rally, “In terms of human rights, China is far behind other countries. If China wants to reemerge as a powerful country on the world stage, it should stop its persecution against humanity. I hope that the day when Falun Gong practitioners can freely practice in China comes soon.”

Seoul City Council member Lee

Member Shin of the National Assembly of South Korea stated in a letter of greeting, “I sincerely support the rally held by Falun Gong practitioners on Seoul Plaza. I hope that the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong will end as soon as possible.”

Mr. Yoon, President of the Commission to Eliminate Corruption

Mr. Yoon, President of the Commission to Eliminate Corruption, strongly condemned the CCP’s atrocities of organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners. He also condemned the CCP’s interference in Falun Gong practitioners’ events in South Korea. He said, “The CCP must be punished by Heaven. For China’s true development and common prosperity with South Korea, the CCP’s atrocities should be exposed to Chinese visitors to South Korea.”

CIPFG representative: The world should not be in compliance with the CCP

Mr. Chung, South Korea representative of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG), and President of the South Korea Judicial Reform Alliance, said, “For several years, I have been paying attention to Falun Gong practitioners. They present the true, beautiful image of human beings. I respect and love them from the bottom of heart. The world should not be in compliance with the CCP’s propaganda, economic inducement or intimidation.”

Mr. Chung, South Korea representative of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) and President of the South Korea Judicial Reform Alliance

Mr. Chung stressed, “The South Korea Government or National Assembly should clearly present its view against the persecution of Falun Gong to safeguard the universal value of human rights. Only by doing so, can South Korea and China have normal diplomatic relations.”

Human rights advocate: Falun Gong is the light illuminating the future

Mr. Pak, a citizens' representative, human rights advocate and director of a hospital

Mr. Pak, a citizens' representative, human rights advocate and director of a hospital, said that China’s traditional culture is worthy of respect, but the CCP’s brutality cannot be tolerated. He said, “The CCP is like a bacteria invading China and damaging China’s profound, graceful traditional culture. The CCP should disappear in history. It is not qualified to exist in the 21^st century.” Mr. Pak stressed, “For China’s healthy development in the 21^st century, the CCP must disappear.” He commended Falun Gong as “the light illuminating the future.”

Mr. Wu Zhenrong, Minister of South Korean Branch, the Overseas Coalition of Chinese Democracy Movement, gives a speech

During the rally, representatives from different organizations signed and put their handprints on a large banner more than ten meters long to express their support for the Chinese people who have bravely put their fingerprints on documents to support Falun Gong. They also called on the South Korean Minister of Justice not to deport Falun Gong practitioners of Chinese nationality back to China, but to grant them humanitarian stay and protection.

Audience members moved

In the afternoon, Falun Gong practitioners held a concert on the stage of Seoul Plaza. The performances included a saxophone solo, a quartet, a soprano solo, and a set by the Divine Land Marching Band.

Local media reporters interview a Falun Gong practitioner about the practice

Soprano solo

Quartet performance

The Divine Land Marching Band performs

A large-scale group practice of Falun Gong practitioners on the lawn in front of Seoul Plaza drew the attention of passers-by. Ms. Zhao from Shandong, China could not conceal her excitement. She said, "In China, I heard the negative propaganda about Falun Gong and I had terrible feelings towards it. One of my relatives was taken away because of practicing Falun Gong. I did not understand him. But today, hearing the music and songs played by Falun Gong practitioners, I am so enjoying the atmosphere here and have a very fresh, peaceful, and calm feeling in my heart. Every Falun Gong practitioner has a peaceful smile, making one feel very comfortable." Ms. Zhao said that Falun Gong is really good and the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong should be stopped immediately.

Group practice of the Falun Gong exercises draws passers-by to watch

Falun Gong practitioners practice the exercises together

Mr. Jin, of Korean ethnicity, who came to South Korea over a year ago from China, said that it was incredible to see so many people practicing Falun Gong in South Korea. In the beginning, he was misled by the CCP's staged self-immolation event and the CCP’s propaganda against Falun Gong. However, after a Falun Gong practitioner explained the truth to him, he agreed to quit the CCP-affiliated Young Pioneers and said he would remember that Falun Dafa is good.

A female security officer responsible for the Chinese community in Korea said that she went to China as a student and saw the group practices of Falun Gong practitioners in China before the persecution. She recently came into contact with practitioners in South Korea and began to read Zhuan Falun. In reading the book, she felt an obvious inner purification. She said that the next step for her would be to learn the Falun Gong exercises.

Local residents listen to a Falun Gong practitioner talking about the CCP’s persecution

People sign the large banner to protest the persecution

Local residents read poster boards introducing Falun Gong and exposing the persecution

Many passers-by paused to read the poster boards introducing Falun Gong and exposing the persecution in China. After learning the facts, many people signed the petition protesting the persecution.