Police Ban on 'Gaecheonjeol Rally' Prompt Conservative Group's Injunction Lawsuit

Choi In-sik, Secretary General of the August 15 Emergency Measures Committee, held a press conference in front of the Seoul Administrative Court on the 25th, announcing the intention to file a suspension of execution lawsuit against the police's notification banning the Gaecheonjeol rally.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] After the police issued a prohibition notice for a large-scale rally to be held in Seoul on Gaecheonjeol, some conservative groups filed a lawsuit seeking a suspension of the enforcement to allow the rally.

The '8.15 Emergency Response Committee (ERC)' held a press conference on the 25th in front of the Seoul Administrative Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, announcing that they would submit an application to suspend the effect of the police's prohibition notice on the Gaecheonjeol rally.

Choi In-sik, Secretary General of the ERC, said, "The refusal to allow the Gaecheonjeol rally is not to protect the lives of the people but to protect the regime," adding, "Today's lawsuit is a tearful fight and a desperate gesture to protect the Republic of Korea." He continued, "We expect a wise judgment from the judiciary."

The ERC announced that they plan to forcibly hold a mass rally at Gwanghwamun Square on Gaecheonjeol. The expected scale is about 1,000 people. They intend to conduct the rally while maintaining a 2-meter distance and wearing masks.

Seoul City has banned gatherings of more than 10 people due to COVID-19 and has prohibited all rallies in certain areas such as Jongno-gu. The police issued the prohibition notice based on the rally ban criteria and plan to fundamentally block drive-through rallies proposed as an alternative. They also stated that even if the rally is divided into groups of nine, they will respond according to the standards set by local governments.