Small-scale Rallies Across Downtown Seoul on Rainy March 1st Independence Movement Day... Police Pledge "Strict Response"

On the 28th, a notice prohibiting gatherings in the city center was installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Ahead of the March 1st Movement anniversary, the court still applied strict standards to large-scale rallies and decided to disallow them. The intention is to prevent risks similar to those during last year's Liberation Day in Seoul's city center, which led to a COVID-19 cluster infection. However, some rallies with restrictions on time and number of participants were permitted. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] On March 1st, the 3.1 Movement Day, small-scale rallies will be held in various parts of downtown Seoul.

According to the police, there are 1,670 reported rallies scheduled in downtown Seoul on this day. The Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps plans to hold a rally with up to 20 people near Gwanghwamun in Seoul starting at 11 a.m. The Our Republic Party will also hold small-scale rallies at 150 locations across Seoul, including subway stations and traditional markets.

The Free Democratic National Movement will hold a press conference in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at 11 a.m. The Taegeukgi Revolution National Headquarters (Gukbon) will hold a rally in Myeongdong starting at 1 p.m.

The rally in front of the Ilmin Museum of Art, reported by Mr. Hwang, was permitted by the court on the condition that no more than 30 people gather, but it is known that it will not take place on this day. Previously, the court dismissed most injunction requests filed by some conservative groups against the quarantine authorities' ban on 3.1 Movement Day rallies, but allowed some rallies to gather up to 20 to 30 people.

Small-scale vehicle protests are also expected to take place in various locations. The Patriotic Patrol Team will conduct a vehicle protest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on this day. However, the number of participants is limited to 9 people using 9 vehicles, and they must comply with 11 quarantine and traffic safety rules.

The Emergency National Solidarity and the National Grand Alliance will also carry out vehicle protests around Seoul in the afternoon.

The police plan to strictly manage these rallies within the limits permitted by the court. About 6,000 police officers are expected to be deployed for rally management. The police plan to prevent unreported illegal rallies from gathering at the participant assembly stage. Additionally, participants who do not comply with requests to refrain from rallying will be forcibly dispersed, and anyone who commits violence against public officials will be immediately arrested.