Despite an online post last week urging bitcoin investors to join a protest against the current administration’s anti-cryptocurrency stance, no sign of protest was reported, counter to expectations. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — A planned protest against the government’s cryptocurrency regulations failed to live up to the hype, with no one turning up at Gwanghwamun Plaza over the weekend.
Despite an online post last week urging bitcoin investors to join a protest against the current administration’s anti-cryptocurrency stance, no sign of protest was reported, counter to expectations.
The call to arms, which was originally posted on South Korean online community DC Inside on Thursday, was met with skepticism after reports that local authorities had yet to receive any notice of the alleged protest.
“Protest permits are issued seven days in advance at the latest. By the point plans for the protest were revealed, it was too late,” a Seoul government official explained.
Others saw warning signs that the protest was bound to fail.
“Normally, you see speakers or banners beforehand, but there wasn’t even a contact number for the organizer,” one online community user said via a post.
The protest also raised speculation over a promotional poster which included a bank account number, with many questioning the intent of what turned out to be a stunt.
The anti-crypto currency regulation protest drew attention last week after a poster was uploaded on the internet that read “The government is seeking to ban all free trade of cryptocurrency without the slightest legal grounds. The tyranny of Moon must end now!”
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
