"Drive-Thru" vs "Gukmin Bulpyeon" National Foundation Day Rally, What Do You Think?

President Moon: "No Tolerance for Illegal Gatherings"
Some Opposition Members Advocate "Drive-Through Protests"
Citizens Debate... "No Infection Risk" vs "Threat to Public Safety"
Experts: "Drive-Through Is Non-Face-to-Face, So No Infection Risk"

A photo posted on former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jin-tae's Facebook on the 22nd, advocating for a drive-thru style rally. Vehicles are lined up with placards reading "Complete Withdrawal of Additional Housing" displayed prominently on the front. Photo by Kim Jin-tae

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As some conservative groups have announced plans to hold a Gaecheonjeol rally on the 3rd of next month, concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are growing. Meanwhile, the People Power Party has sparked controversy by stating that the right to assemble should be guaranteed if the rally is held in a 'drive-thru' format. Among citizens, differing views have emerged regarding the right to assemble and quarantine measures. Experts believe that if protests are conducted in a non-face-to-face manner, the risk of COVID-19 transmission is low.

Following the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the 'Liberation Day rally' held at Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th of last month, anxiety has increased. Now, conservative groups are pushing for a Gaecheonjeol rally on October 3rd, causing controversy. The government and ruling party have urged restraint regarding the rally and hinted at a zero-tolerance policy.

President Moon Jae-in warned at a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 22nd, saying, "If our society is put at risk again, no tolerance can be expected."

He added, "We must not defend antisocial crimes that endanger the well-being of the community and destroy the lives of neighbors under the name of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression," and emphasized, "If there are still those planning to forcibly hold illegal rallies, I earnestly ask them to refrain."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the National Assembly on the same day, "Although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has dropped to double digits over the weekend for the first time in a while, it is not a stage to be complacent. The potential pitfalls of rallies during the Chuseok holiday, Gaecheonjeol, and Hangeul Day remain," adding, "The situation is somewhat different from the previous Liberation Day, but the organizers have not withdrawn their plans for the rally."

He continued, "The rallies must be blocked at the source so that the public can feel safe and ensure the stabilization of COVID-19. At the same time, it will serve as a stern warning to those who lightly regard public authority."

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the video Cabinet meeting held at the Yeomin Hall of the Blue House on the morning of the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

However, despite the government's and ruling party's tough stance, opinions have emerged within the People Power Party suggesting that rallies could be held in a 'drive-thru' format. They argue that using private cars eliminates contact between individuals, thus removing the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Consequently, opinions have surfaced that this might be encouraging the Gaecheonjeol rally, while others say that using such methods poses no problem.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, after a virtual party meeting on the afternoon of the same day, told reporters, "We need to judge whether the law permits it and whether it interferes with quarantine," and defended the drive-thru rally by saying, "If it does not interfere with traffic and quarantine, isn't it their right?"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jin-tae wrote on his Facebook earlier that day, "This Gwanghwamun rally would be better as a drive-thru. Since the government is blaming the patriotic forces at Gwanghwamun for the failure of quarantine, there is no need to insist on the previous method and become prey again," adding, "If this is also banned, it would be a comedy. I am alone in my car, so it has nothing to do with COVID-19."

Former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook also advocated for a drive-thru rally and criticized the police's restriction on gatherings of more than 10 vehicles related to vehicle protests, saying, "I thought it was because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19 that they said not to gather more than nine people. But since they also said not to gather more than nine cars, I realized that COVID-19 was just an excuse to block anti-government rallies."

On the 23rd, Min posted another message, questioning, "If it is truly about the health of the people, why is President Moon preparing an ultra-strong response to completely block rallies on Gaecheonjeol and Hangeul Day?" and criticized, "The president even said there will be absolutely no tolerance. What is he afraid of?"

On the afternoon of the 15th of last month, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

As calls for drive-thru style rallies arise in the political sphere, debates continue among citizens as well.

Some citizens argue that it is a proper individual right as long as it does not harm public safety, while others express concerns that forcibly holding rallies could still gather crowds. Even with vehicle protests, some citizens who do not use private cars might attend on foot, so they argue that it is appropriate to refrain from rallies altogether.

According to multiple media outlets, as of the morning of the 21st, a total of 798 Gaecheonjeol rallies had been reported to the police. The police have notified bans on rallies with more than 10 participants. They plan to block and suppress any rallies that proceed.

Kim, a man in his 50s who works in an office, raised his voice, saying, "It is true that the spread of COVID-19 is a national crisis, but I think it is really inappropriate to prohibit protests even when there is no face-to-face contact."

He added, "It seems like they are creating anxiety by mentioning quarantine and re-outbreaks," and said, "If they are going to block drive-thru rallies, shouldn't they first stop bus and subway operations?"

Lee, a 27-year-old office worker near Gwanghwamun, said, "Last month, the Gwanghwamun rally caused me a lot of stress, and just thinking about going through it again is frustrating," and lamented, "I don't understand why they insist on forcing it even if it causes harm to others."

He continued, "Even if it is held as a drive-thru, is there any guarantee that all participants will come by private car?" and argued, "Traffic in the area will inevitably be paralyzed, and then some people will definitely get out of their cars or attend the rally on foot or by public transportation."

Experts emphasize the need to guarantee the freedom of assembly, noting that the possibility of COVID-19 transmission among participants in vehicle protests is low.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, stated, "If it is a drive-thru style rally, there is no problem because there is no face-to-face contact." He added, "(Many citizens) commute by private car, so are they saying not to do that either?" and pointed out, "The freedom of assembly and protest is guaranteed by the constitution. If protests are blocked under the pretext of quarantine, democracy cannot be preserved."