The larger of the two gatherings, organised by the group dubbed "People in Solidarity with Palestinians," drew about 200 participants to Jongno-district before marching toward the U.S. and Israeli embassies. South Koreans, resident Palestinians, and resident Americans joined the march, calling for an end to U.S. strikes on Iran and Israel's offensive in Gaza.
The rally was timed to mark the 50th anniversary of Land Day, commemorated each March 30 in memory of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in 1976 during protests against land seizures. Participants laid out photographs of Iranian children killed in airstrikes alongside small backpacks in a silent tribute.
A separate cycling contingent from the "BDS Korea" group rode from Jongno-district to the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-district, their bicycles bearing Palestinian flags and banners demanding a halt to what they described as a massacre in Gaza.
On the opposing side, the "Iranian Network in Korea" held a pro-U.S., anti-regime rally near Uijeongbu Station in the afternoon. About 20 Iranian residents waved the flags of Iran, the United States, and Israel, chanting slogans including "We are the revolution" and "No justice, no peace."
Tensions briefly spiked when the pro-Palestinian march passed the Iranian rally in progress, prompting the counter-demonstrators to raise their voices. Police, who had maintained control of the march route throughout the afternoon, prevented any physical confrontation between the two groups.
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