14 Organizations Announce Downtown Rallies and Marches
Temporary Checkpoints Operated in Downtown and Yeouido Areas
Police Urge "Use Public Transportation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On Saturday the 13th, large-scale rallies are expected in various parts of downtown Seoul, including conservative groups and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which has announced a major demonstration, causing anticipated traffic congestion.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 12th, 14 groups including anti-impeachment organizations plan to hold rallies and marches around downtown areas such as Sejong-daero, Jongno, and Sajik-ro on the 13th. In particular, despite receiving a prohibition notice from the Seoul city government and the police, the KCTU is expected to proceed with a nationwide workers' rally starting around 2 p.m.
The police plan to operate temporary checkpoints mainly in downtown and Yeouido areas to block tourist buses, broadcasting vehicles, and stage trucks intended for the prohibited rallies. Depending on the rally situation, traffic control measures such as non-stop passage of subways or route buses passing through Sajik-ro and Sejong-daero in downtown, and National Assembly-daero and Yeouidaero in Yeouido, as well as vehicle detours, may be implemented. The police will conduct announcement broadcasts to minimize inconvenience to citizens and operate traffic control only to the necessary minimum.
A police official urged, "Since traffic inconvenience is expected on major roads in Seoul, please check your travel routes in advance and use public transportation such as subways. If vehicle operation is unavoidable, detour congested sections and follow the traffic police's hand signal controls."
Meanwhile, the National Police Agency held a countermeasure meeting regarding the KCTU rally in the morning, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Jin Gyo-hoon, and announced, "We plan to block any illegal rallies that proceed despite the ban by fully utilizing police units and available equipment nationwide."
The police will proceed with dispersal procedures under the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act if illegal rallies violating quarantine rules are forcibly held by suddenly gathering outside the blockade line. If collective violent acts such as assaulting police officers or damaging facilities occur, strict response with on-site arrests will be the principle.
The National Police Agency emphasized, "We will form a dedicated investigation team to promptly and strictly investigate illegal acts resulting from the large-scale rally, and will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the ringleaders without exception."
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