청, '3·1절 Commemoration Ceremony' Cancellation Under Review... Seoul Rally Also Banned

Major Events Canceled One After Another
Large-Scale Gatherings Also Prohibited
Special Quarantine Measures Implemented at Gwanghwamun Square
City Center Without Tourists Feels 'Desolate'

[Asia Economy Reporters Bonggi Kim, Sangdo Oh, Sunhee Son, Donghoon Jung] The plan to cancel the March 1st Movement anniversary ceremony, which is just 9 days away, is being considered. This is an emergency measure in response to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Large-scale events planned by local governments and the private sector, in addition to the government, are also expected to be canceled one after another.

According to multiple Blue House officials on the 21st, it was confirmed that during a meeting attended by President Moon Jae-in and senior aides that morning, a plan to not hold the '101st March 1st Movement Anniversary Ceremony' was reported. However, since there are major issues between Korea and Japan such as the possible termination of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), an alternative to hold the ceremony online was also discussed. Furthermore, it was reported that President Moon’s diplomatic schedule planned for the near future is also likely to be canceled overall.

In Daegu, where COVID-19 confirmed cases are rapidly increasing, decisions to cancel large events are also being made one after another. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs decided to cancel the '60th February 28th Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony' scheduled to be held in Daegu on the 28th.

Chungcheongbuk-do, where the first confirmed case was reported that day, also canceled the new teacher appointment certificate awarding ceremony scheduled to be held at the Provincial Office of Education’s Harmony Hall on the 25th. Additionally, the retirement teacher medal awarding ceremony scheduled at the same location on the 27th of this month will be combined with the medal awarding ceremony at the end of August.

In the private sector, large-scale performance cancellations are occurring one after another. The Hong Kong Philharmonic’s concerts in Daejeon on the 10th and in Gwangju on the 13th have been canceled. The performances at Seoul Arts Center on the 11th of next month and at Chuncheon Culture and Arts Center on the 12th are also likely to be disrupted.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is speaking at the Ministry of Education-Seoul City countermeasure meeting held on the 21st in the Seoul City Hall Planning Situation Room to protect and support Chinese international students entering Korea. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Meanwhile, Seoul City decided on the same day to ban all gatherings at three locations?Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggye Plaza?where thousands gather every weekend, for the time being. In addition, four Shincheonji Church of Jesus locations in Seoul will be temporarily closed starting from the 21st. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon held an emergency briefing that morning to announce these decisions. Mayor Park said, "Large-scale gatherings have continued around Gwanghwamun Square every week, raising concerns about infections among the elderly. Since extraordinary measures are necessary, the city will notify groups planning large gatherings of the ban starting today and request cooperation from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."

The ban on the use of the squares is based on Article 49, Paragraph 1 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. This law stipulates that gatherings in urban areas can be restricted to prevent infectious diseases. Violators may be fined up to 3 million KRW.

Regarding the closure of Shincheonji churches, which have been identified as a vector for community infection, Mayor Park stated, "We judged that extraordinary measures are necessary for worship and gatherings at Shincheonji churches, which are close-contact spaces, so we will close Shincheonji churches in Seoul starting today. After the city completes disinfection and safety is confirmed, normal worship activities will be allowed." The targets are four churches operating as missionary offices in Yeongdeungpo, Seodaemun, Nowon-gu, and Gangseo-gu. Seoul City also announced plans to temporarily close 3,467 social welfare facilities, including senior welfare centers and comprehensive social welfare centers, starting from that day. Previously, Seoul had recommended temporary closures of senior centers to district offices.

Despite Seoul City’s ban on gatherings, special disinfection and sterilization of Gwanghwamun Square and other areas will be carried out in preparation for some groups forcibly holding gatherings or large crowds gathering. Jongno-gu Office disinfected the Gwanghwamun Square area using four water cleaning vehicles that afternoon and installed six banners urging restraint in gatherings.

Following news of confirmed cases in Jongno-gu the previous day, the area around Gyeongbokgung Station and Jongno, usually bustling with tourists, appeared somewhat quiet. As of the 21st, 7 out of 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul were from Jongno.

Lee Yoon-jung (30, female), who runs a costume rental shop near Gyeongbokgung, said, "Most customers are foreigners, but the usual 60 people per day have dropped sharply to 10-20 now." Richard Lee (33), an American met nearby, said, "There are more patients in one Korean city (Daegu) than the total number of patients in the U.S., so I plan to be more careful from now on."

According to the tourism industry, about 74% of Chinese group tourists entering Korea have canceled outbound trips. Currently, there are no inquiries or new reservations for travel products. Japanese university student Utsumi Tomomi (19, female) said, "Since the trip was planned with friends a month ago, it was difficult to cancel, so I had no choice but to visit Seoul. I am worried about COVID-19, but I am washing my hands well, wearing a mask, and being careful."