Meet pro-Palestinian activists in Korea nearing their 700th day of protest

Every day at noon, someone stands outside the Israeli Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District, holding a placard.

“Stop the genocide against Palestinians,” it reads.

A different person takes the spot each day.

Yesterday, it was an office worker.

Today, a college student.

Tomorrow, it will be a poet.

Over the past two years, the one-person daily protest has drawn participants from across Korean society, including feminists, queer people and people with disabilities.

Organized by a coalition of 352 civic groups, the protest denounces Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

It also seeks to show the world that voices opposing war and violence exist in Korea as well.

The guilt of not showing up July 15 marked the 684th day of the protest.

Standing outside the embassy that day was Kang Eui-young, 29, a postgraduate sociology student at Sogang University.

Kang first joined the protest last spring.

She has since returned every month or two, taking part on no fewer than 10 occasions.

“The little I can do is let people know what is happening in Palestine and remind them that the embassy of the occu ...