Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun Warns "Immediate Arrest and License Suspension" for Gaecheonjeol Rally

Some Conservative Groups Announce Gaecheonjeol Rally
Response with Zero Tolerance Policy

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned on the 27th regarding the National Foundation Day rally, stating, "We will respond with a zero-tolerance policy toward participants of illegal assemblies."

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] "Participants in illegal assemblies will be immediately arrested on site and dealt with under a zero-tolerance policy, including driver's license suspension."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned on the 27th during the opening remarks of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office, emphasizing "community safety" and stating a strict response regarding the October 3rd National Foundation Day assembly plans by some conservative groups.

Earlier, the conservative group "National Movement for a New Korea (Saehan-guk)" had announced on the 24th a large-scale protest demanding the resignation of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and condemning the government's "anti-American, pro-China" policies. The protest, planned as a parade of 200 vehicles through downtown Seoul on National Foundation Day, has been banned by the police. Nevertheless, on the 26th, a day before, they held a preliminary car parade in downtown Seoul.

Prime Minister Chung's strong remarks aim to impose sanctions on such actions by conservative groups. Despite the government's warning to strictly crack down on the National Foundation Day assembly, some groups announced plans to hold vehicle protests demanding Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's resignation, prompting the government to reaffirm its determination to strictly enforce public authority.

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "We will respond strictly to all illegal assemblies, especially at the boundaries of Seoul, Han River bridges, and assembly locations," and urged, "Related groups should withdraw their assembly plans even now." Regarding concerns that COVID-19 prevention measures might loosen during the Chuseok holiday, he mentioned, "This time, the greatest filial piety and courtesy is to care for the safety and health of parents and relatives without meeting them directly."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung also addressed recent issues in the distribution process of the influenza (flu) vaccine, stating, "We will promptly verify the efficacy and safety of the vaccine in question and report transparently and in detail," adding, "We will also prepare measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring."