South Korea is a country forged in fire and protest. Its democracy is vibrant and seemingly stable, but every few years the populace rises to remind the rulers that people power matters. The current president, Park Geun-hye, the daughter of South Korea’s former dictator Park Chung-hee, hasn’t taken well to this democratic rite of passage, and last month attempted to brutally put down protests against her conservative and anti-labor policies.

Last weekend, undeterred by Park’s police force, tens of thousands of Koreans turned out to continue their push back against her conservative agenda. Farmers, workers, students, religious leaders, and artists staged demonstrations throughout the city, before converging at Seoul City Hall for a massive demonstration rally and march through the city. They ended their march at the hospital where a farmer, Baek Nam-gi, injured by a police water cannon at similar protests last month, remained unconscious. Click on the gallery below to view images from the December 5 protest.

Protestors wear masks of President Park Geun-hye. Park, after earlier protests, compared protesters who wore masks to members of the Islamic State.

Protestors wear masks as they march through Insadong, a popular art and shopping area in Seoul. After earlier protests, President Park compared protesters who wore masks to members of the Islamic State.

Buddhist monks attend an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.

Buddhist monks walk in procession during an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.

A farmer speaks before the crowds in Seoul Plaza.

Christian leaders walk in procession during an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.

A young girl wears a mask among other protesters at Seoul Plaza.

Farmers and members of other civic groups protested in Seoul Plaza.

A protest leader wears a mask while speaking to the crowds at Seoul Plaza. “IS” is a mocking reference to Park Geun-hye’s comparison of her opponents to the Islamic State.

A farmer protests in Seoul Plaza.

A protestor in Seoul

The Park administration is attempting to replace school textbooks with a government-issued version.

People also wore traditional Korean masks in the demonstrations.

Workers play drums and march through the streets of Seoul.

People march through the streets of Seoul.

Music, especially drums and singing, are integral parts of Korean protest tradition.

Artists and students wear masks as they march in demonstrations in Seoul.

A young activist wears a mask during demonstrations in Seoul

Demonstrators in Seoul

Demonstrators in Seoul

Thousands gathered outside the hospital where a farmer injured by police remained unconscious.

Labor leaders speak before protestors at Seoul Plaza. Police estimated 14,000 people attended the protests, while organizers put the numbers much higher.

Buddhist monks attend an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.

An artist wears a mask at demonstration in Seoul.

Ben Weller is a photographer based in Nagoya, Japan. All images by Ben Weller /www.wellerpix.com © 2015