Farmers’ Tractor Rally Faces Confrontation with Police
The National Farmers' Association (전농) 'Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group' is currently facing a standoff with police while attempting to enter Seoul for a planned 'Tractor Rally' in the city center.
According to police reports on the 10th, around 50 members belonging to the Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group, comprising 32 tractors and 13 vehicles, arrived at a road beneath the overpass near Seoksu Station in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province at approximately 12:07 PM.
As they were moving towards the north side of Seoksu Station in the direction of Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, they were blocked by police on the road beneath the Gyeonggi Bridge at around 12:20 PM.
It has been assessed that the police deployed 25 riot control units (approximately 1,600 personnel) to respond to the situation. Additionally, they are preparing for possible contingencies by considering the potential of tractor entry through alternative routes besides the previously reported Namtaeryeong.
Currently, the farmers' tractor convoy has occupied three lanes of the road, remaining stationary for over 40 minutes, which has led to traffic congestion in the area.
The tractors are adorned with flags reading 'Achieving the Farmers’ Constitution' and 'Stop Rice Imports', with a tractor carrying progressive party member Jeon Jong-deok positioned at the forefront.
They gathered on the 7th in front of the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Office in Jeonju to announce their intent for the rally and participated in a tractor parade launching ceremony in Ungdong, Chungnam the day before setting out for Seoul.
They departed from Gwonseon-gu in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province at around 7:20 AM that day, aiming to participate in the 'Citizens’ Rally for the Abolition of the Rebellion Agriculture Policy and Realization of Agricultural Reform' scheduled to be held at Gwanghwamun at 3 PM.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency issued a notice on the 8th to restrict the use of tractors during the gathering due to safety concerns regarding their entry into the city. Police have deployed about 74 traffic officers at strategic locations such as the Gyeonggi Bridge and Parkmi Intersection to divert east-west traffic.
Image source: The Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group under the National Farmers' Association is passing through Shiheung-daero in front of Seoksu Station in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 10th. The farmers are expected to participate in the 'Citizens’ Rally for the Abolition of the Rebellion Agriculture Policy and Realization of Agricultural Reform' taking place this afternoon at Gwanghwamun. 2025.5.10/News1
