Seoul Police Chief: "Principled Response to Self-Employed Workers' Rally Unavoidable... Will Ensure Compliance with Quarantine Rules"

"Disbandment Measures if Exceeding 299 People"
Emphasis on the Need for Legislation to Manage Illegal Private Investigators

Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 22nd, Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated that they will respond in principle to the large-scale rally of self-employed workers scheduled in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

At a press briefing on the 20th, Commissioner Choi said, "Self-employed workers are having a very difficult time due to the COVID-19 situation," but added, "Principled response is inevitable for the public interest of quarantine."

He also said, "Currently, there is no separate assembly ban order from the Seoul Metropolitan Government," and added, "We will have a joint procedure on-site with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to check compliance with quarantine rules." He emphasized that since the allowed number of participants is 299, exceeding this number will inevitably lead to dispersal measures or legal action against the ringleaders.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency also announced that it will carry out special crime prevention activities for the year-end and New Year holidays for three weeks until January 7 next year. Commissioner Choi said, "The COVID-19 quarantine situation is currently serious, so we will continue crackdowns on businesses violating quarantine rules such as unauthorized operations and assembly bans, jointly with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to foster a general atmosphere of compliance with quarantine rules." He also explained, "We will focus on preventive activities against crimes in vulnerable areas and against socially disadvantaged groups, and continue to strengthen mobile drinking crackdown mainly in entertainment districts."

In addition, Commissioner Choi expressed the opinion that legislative efforts are needed to manage illegal private investigation agencies and errand centers in relation to the murder case of a woman and her family under personal protection in Songpa, Seoul. Commissioner Choi said, "It is necessary to manage the protection of citizens' personal information and privacy infringements caused by illegal businesses," and added, "Social public discussion is needed, and urgent legislative discussions to resolve this firmly are required."

Meanwhile, regarding the investigation into allegations of preferential hospitalization of Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki's son at Seoul National University Hospital, he said, "The complainant has been questioned, and the rest is proceeding according to procedures."