Reduced Number of Participants
Voices Suppressed by COVID-19 Expressed
Various Methods Including Drive-Thru
Concerns Over Potential Spread of Infectious Disease
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the first weekday of the new year, more than 50 large and small rallies and demonstrations will be held across downtown Seoul.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 3rd, a total of 57 rallies involving 6,707 people were reported in Seoul that day. The National Office and Financial Services Labor Union and others plan to hold a rally with 299 participants in front of the Yeouido 63 Building from 10:50 a.m., urging the conclusion of collective bargaining, and then march for about 2 hours and 30 minutes along a 2.35 km route from Yeouido Sibeom Apartments to the Financial Supervisory Service. The National Railway and Subway Union Council reported a rally with 299 participants in front of the Democratic Party headquarters, demanding the suspension of the installation of train driver’s cabin surveillance cameras. The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities plans to hold a cultural event from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of the Yeouido Irum Center, calling for amendments to the Act on the Promotion of Convenience for Transportation Vulnerable Groups. In addition, the Seoul branch of the National Women’s Union will hold a rally urging special collective bargaining for care workers in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The allowable number of participants in rallies was up to 499 (only fully vaccinated persons allowed) after the phased daily recovery (With Corona) was implemented in November last year, but it was reduced again on the 18th of last month due to strengthened social distancing measures. Until the 16th of this month, rallies with fewer than 50 participants can be held regardless of vaccination status, and up to 299 participants are allowed if they consist only of fully vaccinated persons, PCR test negative persons, youths under 18, or unvaccinated persons who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. Despite these restrictions on rallies and demonstrations, the total number of rallies nationwide from January to November last year was 79,407, an increase from 77,453 in 2020. Although it did not reach the pre-COVID-19 level of 95,255 in 2019, the voices of various sectors that had been suppressed have continued to emerge. The police believe this reflects the continued occurrence of small-scale rallies using new forms such as 'drive-through' style or modified one-person protests.
This year, rallies and demonstrations are expected to increase compared to previous years due to the presidential and local elections and COVID-19. The gradual expansion of daily recovery, accumulated public fatigue with quarantine measures, and major issues such as the presidential and local elections are creating an environment where voices from all walks of life are increasing. The Police University’s Institute of Police Policy Research (IPPR) predicted in its ‘Security Network 2022’ report that "Although regulations may be strengthened again due to the Omicron variant, the number of rallies and demonstrations in the first half of this year will increase," and "The number of intermittent small-scale protests outside the reported scope and large-scale rallies and demonstrations by labor groups will also increase." The IPPR stated, "Disorderly rallies can be a signal of the spread of infectious diseases and a surge in severe cases," and added, "While guaranteeing the freedom of assembly, it is necessary to voluntarily induce compliance with quarantine rules."
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