[Summary] On Gaecheonjeol, Drive-Thru Rally Demanded... Joo Ho-young Says "Isn't It Their Right?"

"Need to Judge Whether Quarantine Was Obstructed"
Kim Jin-tae "This Gwanghwamun Rally Should Be Drive-Thru Style"
Min Kyung-wook "No Dictatorship Blocks Drive-Thru"
President Moon "No Tolerance If Our Society Is Put at Risk"

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid proposals from some conservative figures suggesting holding rallies in Seoul's Gwanghwamun using a 'drive-thru' method, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "If it does not interfere with traffic and quarantine measures, isn't it their right?"

On the afternoon of the 22nd, when asked about the drive-thru style rally at Gwanghwamun during a press conference, Floor Leader Joo stated, "We need to determine whether the law permits it and whether it interferes with quarantine," expressing this view.

Former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae of the same party wrote on his Facebook that day, "This time, the Gwanghwamun rally would be better in a drive-thru format," adding, "Since the administration is blaming the patriotic forces at Gwanghwamun for the failure in quarantine, there is no need to insist on the previous method and become prey again."

He continued, "If this is also banned, it would be a comedy," adding, "I am alone in my car, so it has nothing to do with COVID-19."

Earlier, on the 21st, former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook also advocated for a drive-thru style rally. He expressed dissatisfaction with the police's restriction on vehicle protests to 'no more than 10 vehicles,' saying, "Why not ban parking more than 9 cars even in parking lots?" and "No dictatorship in the world blocks drive-thru events," he complained.

A rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of August 15. / Photo by Yonhap News

It appears that the two former lawmakers proposed the drive-thru method as an alternative after the police notified them of the rally ban, and both the ruling and opposition parties appealed for restraint in gatherings due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

On the 22nd, President Moon Jae-in warned at a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House regarding the National Foundation Day rally led by conservative groups, saying, "If our society is put at risk again, no tolerance can be expected."

President Moon emphasized that day, "The government will fulfill its duty to protect the people. If there are still those planning to proceed with illegal rallies, I earnestly ask for restraint," adding, "I hope the people will unite their strength. Quarantine rules are the lifeline and mutual safety net in any situation."

Earlier, after the August 15 rally involving Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, which led to the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area, President Moon strongly criticized the disruption of quarantine measures as "antisocial crimes that harm the community," stating, "We will surely show the people that public authority is alive."

President Moon Jae-in / Photo by Yonhap News

Appeals to refrain from large-scale rallies have also come from the opposition. Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, appealed at a party emergency meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th of last month, saying, "This is a critical moment when the entire nation must unite to overcome COVID-19 or face collapse," and "At this moment when tomorrow is uncertain, I earnestly ask you to postpone rallies and stand with your neighbors and the people."

He added, "The memories of this administration's unfairness and governance failure deeply engraved in the minds of all citizens will never be erased," emphasizing, "Your restrained anger will receive more support and continue among the people."

Meanwhile, the 'August 15 Rally Participants National Emergency Committee' (8·15 Emergency Committee), which hosted the Gwanghwamun rally commemorating Liberation Day on the 15th of last month, expressed their intention to hold a rally again at Gwanghwamun Square on National Foundation Day next month.

On the afternoon of the 16th, conservative groups including the Free Democratic National Movement, affiliated with the 8·15 Emergency Committee, held a press conference in front of Jongno Police Station in Seoul, announcing, "We are submitting a rally notification to use Gwanghwamun Square on National Foundation Day."

They argued, "It is absolutely unacceptable to issue a blanket ban on rally notifications in a free democratic country," and "Since the constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and association, the government is violating the law."

However, they stated they would cooperate with COVID-19 quarantine measures as much as possible. They said, "We recognize the responsibility that comes with freedom and will cooperate and make efforts regarding quarantine during the rally," adding, "We plan to maintain a 2-meter distance between all participants and wear masks."