Park Won-soon "Jeon Gwang-hoon, is he of sound mind... If Seoul is breached, Korea is breached"

"Next Week, the Biggest Challenge of COVID-19"
"Measures Planned to Make Gatherings Impossible"

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon urged the suspension of the rally held on the afternoon of the 22nd at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, organized by the National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in. Amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Seoul city government banned rallies at Gwanghwamun Square and other locations, but the National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in proceeded with the planned rally in the city.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] On the 24th, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon stated regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "If Seoul is breached, it means South Korea is breached."

Mayor Park appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day and said, "The next week will be the biggest turning point between the spread or containment of COVID-19."

He added, "We will do our best to manage Seoul City stably so that there will be no explosive increase in confirmed cases."

Regarding his visit to the rally site of the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon) led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon at Gwanghwamun Square the previous day, Mayor Park said, "Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon said, 'Even if you get infected, it is patriotism. The disease you had will also be cured,'" and added, "I doubt whether (Pastor Jeon) is in a sound state of mind."

He continued, "In the current emergency situation, attending a large-scale rally is not just a personal issue," and pointed out, "If even one person among the rally participants is exposed to the risk of COVID-19, ultimately the health and lives of others could also be at risk."

He then added, "We plan to request the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to make such rallies impossible."

Earlier, the Beomtu-bon led by Pastor Jeon held a large-scale rally at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul over the past weekend. According to the organizers, about 8,000 believers and supporters attended the rally on the 23rd.

In particular, despite Seoul City banning rallies at Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st due to COVID-19 concerns and the police expressing their intention to take legal action, Beomtu-bon proceeded with consecutive rallies on the 22nd and 23rd.