(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises and held a rally and march on Seoul Plaza on July 20, 2026. Despite the rain, they gathered to call for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 27-year persecution. Speakers from the South Korean cultural community voiced their support at the event. Deeply moved after learning the facts about the torture and forced organ harvesting that the CCP subjects practitioners to, residents and tourists called to end the suppression.

Falun Gong, with its core principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, was introduced to the public in China in 1992. On July 20, 1999, the CCP launched a full-scale persecution, which continues to this day. Countless numbers of its practitioners have been illegally detained and tortured, and more than 5,000 have been confirmed to have died as a result of the persecution. The CCP's crime of forced organ harvesting targeting Falun Gong practitioners continues to be condemned by the international community.

Group Practice in the Rain

Despite the incessant rain, practitioners gathered on the grassy plaza in front of Seoul City Hall in the morning to do the exercises. The fluid movements and peaceful atmosphere attracted many tourists to stop and watch, and many recorded the event on their phones.

Practitioners did the exercises on Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall on July 20, 2026 (Minghui.org)

After the exercises, the rally started with a brief review of the persecution, a statement from the Korean Falun Dafa Association, speeches by guests, and a memorial ceremony.

Falun Dafa Association Exposes the CCP’s Transnational Repression

Dr. Jeong Ki-tae, Vice President of the Falun Dafa Association of Korea, calling for people to condemn the CCP’s transnational persecution (Minghui.org)

Dr. Jeong Ki-tae, Vice President of the Falun Dafa Association of Korea, read a statement describing how the CCP has been carrying out transnational repression against Falun Gong, thus extending its domestic suppression model overseas. The CCP has been attempting to expand its influence in South Korean society through a united front, including activities within the South Korean government, local governments, South Korea-China friendship groups, and the media.

In his statement, Dr. Jeong Ki-tae also mentioned the CCP’s long-standing interference with Shen Yun Performing Arts in South Korea. He called on the South Korean government to “resolutely resist the unreasonable pressure from foreign governments to safeguard cultural sovereignty and the rule of law.”

Film Director: Do Not Condone the Persecution

Film director Heo Eun-do (Minghui.org)

Heo Eun-do, the chief programmer and director of the Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival, spoke at the rally. He said that, because of its core values of justice, freedom, and human rights, the festival selected State Organs, a documentary that exposes the CCP’s crimes of forced organ harvesting, as the opening film last year.

Heo said that, over the years, a large number of Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested, detained, tortured, and subjected to severe human rights abuses, including forced labor, for upholding their beliefs. When explaining why State Organs was selected as the opening film last year, he said, “They [practitioners] are just a group of ordinary citizens who practice Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and strive to become better people. But they have become victims of state violence simply because they uphold their beliefs. This is the essence of this tragedy.

"The human body is not the property of the state, and human organs should not be traded. No regime has the right to deprive an individual of their freedom and life on the grounds of their beliefs and conscience,” he said.

Heo emphasized, “Remaining silent in the face of human rights abuses is tantamount to encouraging persecution. Condemning the CCP’s human rights abuses is not about opposing the Chinese people; rather, it is about opposing the violence of a totalitarian state that oppresses humanity.”

Mourning Practitioners Who Lost Their Lives in the Persecution

During the memorial service, portraits of some Falun Gong practitioners who have died as a result of persecution were displayed on the stage.

Attendees mourn Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death by the CCP. (Minghui.org)

Falun Gong practitioner Zhao Runde recited a eulogy: “Your courage in sacrificing your lives for the truth moves the world; your effort—in revealing the truth of the persecution to the public—fills the world with justice.” The attendees paid tribute to their fellow practitioners who have lost their lives due to the persecution.

A March in the City Center

,After the rally, practitioners marched through the center of the city. (Minghui.org)

Practitioners marched through the center of Seoul after the rally.

Led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, the procession featured practitioners demonstrating the exercises, banners that read “Falun Dafa” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” a large copy of the book Zhuan Falun, a waist drum team, and banners with messages that exposed the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and the forced organ harvesting. After watching the march, many people accepted flyers from practitioners or asked them for more information.

“I used to have misunderstandings about Falun Gong, but after watching today’s parade, I understand who the perpetrators are and who the victims are,” a local resident said.

Witnesses Recount Their Persecution Experiences

Mr. Kim is a resident of Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. After he began practicing Falun Gong in 1995, his health not only improved, but he also became more peaceful and kind-hearted. In 2002, he was illegally detained for four years in China for exposing the persecution of Falun Gong. He said, “Falun Gong is still being persecuted by the CCP. Please do not believe the CCP’s propaganda.”

Kim Joo-seon, who practices Falun Gong in Seoul, said that she was always interested in ways to improve herself. After learning about Falun Gong through the media, she went to a practice site, where she obtained a copy of Zhuan Falun.

“After reading Zhuan Falun, I found answers to questions I had about life,” Kim recalled. Now, she tells people about Falun Gong, and she said an increasing number of people are willing to hear the information.

Falun Gong practitioner Kim Joo-seon in Seoul. (Minghui.org)

Nam Ryun-seo, a high school student, came with her mother for the event from Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. She said she was impressed because Falun Gong practitioners in China have persisted in their faith despite long-term persecution. She hopes more people learn about the persecution.

Local Residents and Tourists: The Persecution Must Stop

Seoul resident Park Kwan-woo condemned the CCP for harvesting organs from practitioners while they are alive. (Minghui.org)

Park Kwan-woo said he was happy to hear Falun Gong improves people’s physical and mental health. It is hard to imagine such a practice that benefits society is suppressed in China, let alone harvests organs from practitioners. Another resident, Jung Il, also believes Falun Gong should not be persecuted and hopes that more people will learn the truth.

British tourist Tal Hemmel said organ harvesting must be stopped immediately. (Minghui.org)

After watching the event, including a simulated organ harvesting exhibit, British tourist Tal Hemmel thanked Falun Gong practitioners and said, “This [organ harvesting] is extremely heinous and must be stopped immediately.”

Chinese Tourist: Mother Secretly Practices Falun Gong

A tourist from Jilin Province, China, said such events cannot be seen in China. “Seeing Falun Gong practitioners able to participate in activities freely and openly in South Korea has deeply moved me,” he said.

He said he personally witnessed young Falun Gong practitioners being dragged into the police station, and the police throwing Falun Gong books and tape recorders on the ground. “My mother dared not practice during the day, and could only practice secretly every night,” he added.

“I knew about Falun Gong a long time ago, but I was unable to continue practicing for various reasons. It is truly heartbreaking that such a good practice has been suppressed,” he continued.

Seeing people from different countries participating in the event, the man realized that Falun Gong is practiced throughout the world. He expressed his hope that more people learn about Falun Gong in the future, and he also said he’d like to resume practicing.

The event concluded after the march returned to Seoul Plaza. Despite the intermittent rain, many residents and tourists stopped to watch, took informational materials, and asked practitioners for more information. Although this 27-year-long persecution is not yet over, more and more people are learning the facts through such public events, and they express their support for Falun Gong practitioners.