Some Conservative Groups Push for Large-Scale Gatherings Including Drive-Thru Protests
Police Issue Ban Notices on All Assembly Reports
Seoul City Center Entry Blocked... On-Site Arrests if Dispersal Orders Ignored
National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong is presiding over a nationwide command video conference on the morning of the 25th. Commissioner Kim instructed each provincial police agency to respond strictly to the National Foundation Day gatherings. Photo by National Police Agency
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Some conservative groups continue to push forward with plans for large-scale rallies on National Foundation Day despite concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In response, the police held a nationwide command meeting and decided to take strong measures, including completely blocking the entry of protesters into downtown Seoul and imposing driver's license cancellations or suspensions on participants in 'drive-thru' rallies. If conservative groups proceed with the rallies, clashes with the police seem inevitable.
According to the police and conservative groups on the 25th, some conservative groups that had planned a large-scale rally at Gwanghwamun in Seoul on the 3rd of next month have withdrawn their intention to hold the rally. However, they maintain their stance to hold a vehicle protest in the form of a 'drive-thru'.
Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo and Pastor Seo Kyung-seok, representative of the 'People's Movement for a New Korea,' held a press conference in front of the National Assembly the day before, stating, "No matter how rampant COVID-19 is, we must express our anger at the evils and mistakes of the Moon Jae-in administration," and added, "The only way to express our intentions without falling into the government's COVID trap is the recently spotlighted car parade method." They reported to the police that on National Foundation Day, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., they plan to march with about 200 vehicles from the Federation of Korean Industries building in Yeouido, passing through Gwanghwamun Square to Seocho Police Station.
Additionally, the '8.15 Emergency Measures Committee,' which led the 'August 15 Liberation Day rally' last month, is showing signs of pushing forward with a large-scale rally on National Foundation Day. They filed a suspension of execution lawsuit at the Seoul Administrative Court in response to the police's prohibition order.
Choi In-sik, Secretary General of the August 15 Emergency Committee (right), is submitting a report for the National Foundation Day rally at the Civil Complaints Office of Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the afternoon of the 16th. This organization led the rally on Liberation Day. [Image source=Yonhap News]
So far, more than 70 reports have been filed with the police to hold rallies with more than 10 people in Seoul on National Foundation Day. Since Seoul City prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, the police have issued prohibition orders for all rallies that do not meet this criterion. Nevertheless, as conservative groups attempt to proceed with the National Foundation Day rallies, the police have prepared strong countermeasures.
At 10 a.m. that day, the National Police Agency held a 'National Command Video Conference for National Foundation Day Rally Preparedness' chaired by Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong, instructing a full-scale response to illegal rallies. In his opening remarks, Commissioner Kim said, "Despite over 600 confirmed COVID-19 cases resulting from the Liberation Day rally, some groups are again announcing plans to hold large-scale rallies in violation of the law," emphasizing, "Acts that undermine the efforts of citizens and the government to contain the virus must never be tolerated."
The police plan to operate triple-layered checkpoints in sequence from the Han River to the downtown area at the boundaries of Seoul to block participants from entering the city center, and to deploy the maximum available personnel and equipment at expected major gathering spots. If the rallies proceed, dispersal procedures will be carried out, and if orders to disperse are ignored, on-site arrests and direct dispersal actions will be taken.
In particular, regarding vehicle protests, the police view the risk of traffic congestion and accidents as high and plan to combine judicial measures such as arresting offenders and imposing fines with driver's license suspensions or cancellations, and vehicles will be towed immediately. Commissioner Kim urged, "Groups planning to hold large-scale illegal rallies should stop immediately, and those intending to participate should refrain from doing so," adding, "We ask for cooperation in abiding by the law and ensuring community safety."
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