Korean students and activists stage a rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday, voicing support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and criticizing China's crackdown. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



In a string of movements supporting the democracy protests in Hong Kong, South Korean students gathered again Tuesday, demanding that authorities stop suppressing the protesters.



"We condemn the suppression and support the Hong Kong protests," Park Hae-shin, one of the organizers of the event, said. "We hope the solidarity and support from Korea will reach the protesters in Hong Kong who are standing firm."



Despite the chilly weather, dozens of students convened near the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, a neighborhood known as a shopping destination for foreign tourists, who mostly come from Asian countries like China.



A minor scuffle occurred before the event planned for 11 a.m. as a police squad blocked the students from moving toward the embassy. No serious clashes were reported.



Officers from the Namdaemun Police Station told the students to end the protest, saying they were blocking the road and holding a rally within 100 meters of the embassy without giving notice.





Protesters hold banners with Korean or English messages critical of China's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk





Korean police block protesters marching toward the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk