Court Rules Ban on Gwanghwamun Rally with 300 Participants Justified

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] The Administrative Division 4 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Presiding Judge Cho Mi-yeon) dismissed the suspension of execution application filed by the conservative group Jayu Yeondae against Seoul City's order banning outdoor assemblies on the 16th.

Jayu Yeondae had reported plans to hold assemblies with 300 participants each at five locations around Gwanghwamun Square every weekend starting from the 17th, but the police issued a prohibition notice on the 14th based on Seoul City's administrative order banning assemblies.

Jayu Yeondae applied to the court for suspension of execution against the order banning the 300-person assembly reported to be held near Gyeongbokgung Station on the 17th.

Seoul's assembly ban criteria were relaxed on the 12th from "fewer than 10 people" to "fewer than 100 people," but assemblies in downtown areas remain prohibited.

The August 15 Citizens Emergency Response Committee (Bi-dae-wi) reported plans to hold outdoor worship services with 1,000 participants at Gwanghwamun Square on the 18th and 25th but were banned, and they have filed a suspension of execution application with the court regarding the ban on the worship service on the 25th.

Bi-dae-wi also filed suspension of execution applications against police assembly bans on National Foundation Day and Hangul Day, but most were dismissed except for some vehicle protests.

Jayu Yeondae plans to hold a 90-person assembly in front of the Hyundai Jeokseon Building in Jongno-gu on the 17th and march toward the Blue House.