"Now That Vaccines Have Arrived..." Citizens Frustrated Over 3·1 Jeol Rally Announcement

March 1st Movement Day, 1,478 Assembly Reports Received in Seoul
Many Reports of 'Split Assemblies' with Fewer Than 10 Participants
"Reminds Us of the Liberation Day Nightmare," Citizens Criticize
Health Authorities "Strict Response to Illegal Assemblies and Violations"

On August 15 last year, participants of a rally condemning the government and the ruling party, including Sarang Jeil Church and Jayu Yeondae, filled the streets of Sejong-daero in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] As COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, drawing attention to the possibility of herd immunity, concerns are growing as various large and small rallies are expected to be held across downtown areas such as Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the upcoming March 1st Movement Day. Citizens are criticizing these gatherings, fearing the start of another COVID-19 pandemic wave.

On the 26th, the police reported a total of 1,478 rallies registered in Seoul for March 1st. Among these, 102 rallies were registered with an expected attendance of 10 or more people or were reported within municipal prohibited zones.

Earlier, since November last year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has maintained quarantine guidelines restricting large-scale rallies of 10 or more people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the city along with six district offices have separately designated rally prohibition zones. Accordingly, the police issued prohibition notices for all 102 rallies registered for March 1st that involved 10 or more participants or were within prohibited zones.

The remaining rallies are scheduled to be held under police administrative guidance on the condition that quarantine rules are followed. It is known that groups such as the 'Ten Million Innocent Release Headquarters,' advocating for the reinstatement of former President Park Geun-hye, and the 'Taegukgi Citizen Revolution National Movement Headquarters' plan to hold rallies. Additionally, the 'Christian Liberty Unification Party' led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and the 'National Movement Headquarters for Setting the Republic of Korea Right' have also registered rallies near the Blue House Sarangchae with 1,000 participants and at four locations around Gwanghwamun Square.

Moreover, the August 15th Citizens Emergency Committee, a coalition of conservative and Protestant groups that participated in last year's Liberation Day downtown rally, announced plans to hold rallies condemning the government at six locations near Gwanghwamun Square, including in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop, Kyobo Bookstore, and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Rally registrations from conservative groups such as the Liberty Solidarity and Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps have also continued.

Many 'split rallies' with fewer than 10 participants, meeting the rally restriction criteria, have also been registered. The Our Republican Party announced plans to hold '9-person rallies' at 157 major subway stations and traditional markets across Seoul on the afternoon of March 1st. If these rallies proceed as planned, approximately 1,400 participants will be involved in 'split' rallies held at various locations.

Photo by Yonhap News

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, voices criticizing the rally movements for this March 1st continue. Last August 15th, the court allowed a Liberation Day rally where 10,000 to 20,000 participants gathered, leading to a rapid spread of COVID-19 and resulting in cluster infections, which drew public criticism. The organizers were also subjected to arrest and investigation.

A 26-year-old university student, Mr. A, said, "I don't understand why rallies have to be held in this situation," adding, "After struggling for a year and just as vaccinations have started, I feel very frustrated and upset that another pandemic wave might occur." He further expressed, "I hope people refrain from gathering as much as possible for the time being and endure a little. I'm worried that everything will be in vain because of March 1st."

Additionally, netizens on local cafes and online communities have expressed negative reactions to the rallies, posting comments such as "The Liberation Day nightmare is coming again," "Isn't this a rally risking lives? Please stop," and "The ultimate selfish double standard."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

Health authorities have also expressed concern over the announced March 1st rallies. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun pointed out at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 25th that "Downtown rallies provide sufficient conditions to ignite the spread of COVID-19."

He continued, "With March 1st just four days away, some groups are announcing simultaneous rallies in downtown Seoul, which is worrisome," and urged, "The police, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and related agencies must thoroughly block any attempts at illegal rallies and respond strictly according to law and principles if violations occur. Also, groups preparing rallies should immediately cancel their plans for the health and safety of the public."

Meanwhile, some conservative groups have filed administrative lawsuits in response to the government's strict rally enforcement policy. On the 22nd, a conservative YouTuber filed a lawsuit against the Seoul Metropolitan Government to cancel the city’s rally restriction notice in downtown areas. Following this, the Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps, which registered a rally in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, also filed an administrative lawsuit requesting the cancellation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police’s rally prohibition orders.

In response, on the 26th, the court held a hearing on their request for suspension of execution against the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s assembly ban order and will decide whether to grant the suspension, allowing the rallies to proceed.