France sets curfews after protests turn violent; Macron condemns looting

Macron said in a national address on 18 October that he felt "anger and shame" over the looting and violence during nationwide protests. He said "nothing can justify, explain or excuse" it, and that looters must be distinguished from protesters with "legitimate demands". He asked how French people could do this to France. Hankook Ilbo, citing Le Monde, also quoted him as saying the government would never compromise with the perpetrators. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]

Macron said he would give mayors and prefects appointed by the central government the power to ban specific gatherings, and that he had ordered an inquiry into whether there were problems with intelligence gathering or police preparedness. He asked the government to convene students, teachers, lawmakers, union representatives and business leaders to draw up concrete proposals. Seoul Economic Daily said he did not declare a state of emergency, which some right-wing politicians had demanded. Newsis, citing AP, quoted him as blaming a "radical far-left" group and saying those who looted must compensate for the damage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 8 ]

The protests began with high-school students demanding better education conditions and spread on 17 October into a large nationwide protest over the cost of living. French authorities put the number of arrests at about 2,400 and injuries at about 1,000, including police officers, though Newsis gave at least 1,800 arrests. Newsis and Korea Economic Daily said about 550,000 people took part according to authorities, while organisers claimed about 800,000. They also reported that a 19th-century town hall in Limoges was set on fire and that hundreds of shops were looted in Paris, Marseille and Lyon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]

On 19 October Lecornu, after an emergency meeting, told regions to introduce curfews as early as that day. He said they would be partial, with local authorities deciding, and that a state of emergency was not ruled out but a curfew was more appropriate for now. Paris police imposed a curfew from 23:00 to 06:00 around Place de la République and Les Halles, and banned gatherings from 20:00, saying the measure was meant to protect people and property from violence and looting. Kyunghyang reported that Lille ordered a curfew for under-18s and that Nice restricted minors at night. Maeil Business said partial curfews also applied in four northern cities and Marseille banned public gatherings from noon to 20:00. [ 12 , 17 , 18 ]

Nuñez said he would resign over the failed response, but Macron declined, saying the police command chain had to be maintained. The Élysée ordered transparency on the response plan and intelligence failures, according to Chosun Ilbo and Maeil Business. Le Pen and Mélenchon traded accusations with the government, though outlets described their statements differently. Newsis said Le Pen called the government powerless and Mélenchon said it had fuelled the situation, while Seoul Economic Daily said Le Pen urged an end to violence and Mélenchon said Macron must respond to citizens' demands. Seoul Economic Daily, citing Le Monde, said the Yellow Vests coalition called Macron's speech empty. [ 3 , 8 , 12 , 17 , 18 ]

The Yellow Vests announced a second round of protests for 24 October, and major unions plan a strike and protests on 5 November. Chosun Ilbo reported that the French 10-year bond yield rose 0.12 percentage points to 4.9% on 19 October. Maeil Business reported that dozens of protesters blocked the entrance to the Louvre pyramid, delaying opening. [ 11 , 12 , 18 ]