This is the scene from downtown Seoul this past weekend.
Well, not JUST this past weekend, but for the past five consecutive weekends... and
not limited to the nation's capital.
Millions of Koreans have been coming together for weeks to make their voices heard... to
make a difference, to bring about a change... by lighting a candle in the darkness.
Our News Feature tonight... by Kwon Jangho.
It's early afternoon in Seoul, and with a few hours left to go before the scheduled
protest begins, people are already starting to gather in the November snow.
Some have been waiting since the early morning.
"I haven't even had breakfast yet.
But my discomfort is not the issue, I'm just very frustrated with the government."
"I came here because I wanted to show that we the people have our own thoughts, and that
we won't just be pushed around."
Those gathered here are calling for President Park Geun-hye to resign over her involvement
in the power abuse scandal.
It's the fifth in a weekly series of protests, and I've come to Gwanghwamun Plaza, the heart
of rallies, to guage the atmosphere.
I see young and old people alike, including these high school students, who have collected
money from their friends to buy candles and hand warmers to give out for free.
"This might be taking time away from our studies, but we feel that being out here, experiencing
democratic and public responsibility in action, will help us in the future."
There are even a few foreigners, out to experience the day's events.
"In Germany, I'm not sure if people would do this, because people are just frustrated
with politics and they think they can't change anything anyway, but if this many people join
I think there's no way that this can continue the way it has been."
"It's now 4 p.m. and the crowds have gathered here in earnest.
The police have closed off the roads, and the planned protest march is now starting."
The event is well-mannered and jovial.
Even among the chants calling for the president to resign, there's music, dancing and smiles.
"Why are you beating these drums and playing this music?"
"For the Korean people, since the olden days, the drum is an instrument that unites and
gives strength to the people.
We wanted to give that strength to the people here."
The recent protests have been noted not only for their peacefulness but also their civility.
Thanks to the help of volunteers and the protesters themselves, there's hardly any litter on the
streets.
"This is the new style of protest and it makes me so happy.
That's why I feel this is the least I can do, to clean up and show people how well these
protests are going."
Further ahead, we come across some police bus barricades.
Since the fourth protest last week, a collection of flower stickers has appeared, transforming
the barricades into something more appealing.
"We wanted to make this wall a wall of flowers.
We wanted to show that we're doing these protests with a beautiful heart."
"I see you've only stuck it half on here, can you tell me why you did that?"
"So that it's easy to peel off."
"Why does it matter that it's easy to take off?"
"Because even the police are citizens.
They're only here working because they are having to fulfill their public duty.
And after it's over they are going to have to take all these stickers off, and we wanted
to be considerate to them.
They remind me of my own children."
As dusk falls, the protest march reaches its destination.
"I've now reached the front of the protest march, where we're just a few hundred meters
away from the front gates of the Cheong Wa Dae presidential office.
The crowds are making their voices heard through chanting and singing."
Although the protesters and police come face-to-face at this barricade, both sides respect the
limits they have been given by the law.
In Korea's modern history, there have been many incidents where a face-off like this
would have ended in violence.
But there have been no such confrontations over the past four weeks.
"I attended protests in 1988, when I was a student.
But what's different is that people now bring their children and families.
They can express their feelings freely in a variety of ways, and I think it's setting
a new standard for protesting."
With the night comes the candlelight that has been the symbol of these events, as the
crowds return peacefully to Gwanghwamun Plaza to show their unity once more.
"Darkness is normally associated with bad things, but by lighting candles, one by one,
it's become a bright light in the darkness, as you can see.
I believe that's the meaning behind the candle."
At times it feels more like a music festival, but with lyrics reflecting the current political
situation, no one forgets why they are there.
"The important thing is that we are making our voices heard.
Whether we're singing or dancing, as long as the message is there and many people take
part, then I think the festive nature of it all is not a problem."
"If these protests continue to stay peaceful then all citizens, whether they're young or
old, can participate...
But if it turns violent, then participation will be limited to a few groups.
The chance for the whole nation to join as one will become more difficult."
A second march towards the presidential office takes place, and the event continues long
into the night.
It's been the largest rally yet, with organizers saying more than 1-point-5 million people
joined throughout the day, while police estimate around 270-thousand.
Week after week, the Korean public are coming out as one to have their voice heard...
determined to bring about a change in a truly democratic way.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.