Police "Considering Ban on Gatherings Within 100m of Yongsan Office 'Fence' Standard"

The Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the presidential office will be established. / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The police are considering controlling assemblies by designating a 100-meter radius around the fence of the Ministry of National Defense’s new building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidential office will be located, as a no-assembly zone after his inauguration.

At a regular press briefing on the 11th, Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "Previously, the Blue House also prohibited assemblies and demonstrations within a 100-meter radius based on the fence," confirming this approach. Earlier, during discussions related to the relocation of the Yongsan office, the National Police Agency finalized a policy to ban assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the presidential office, similar to the presidential residence, and reported this to the Presidential Transition Committee. However, the exact point from which the 100-meter radius will be measured has not yet been decided. Commissioner Choi indicated that they plan to review assembly control measures based on the existing Blue House standards.

Article 11 of the current Assembly and Demonstration Act prohibits assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the presidential residence, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Constitutional Court, and the Prime Minister’s official residence. The presidential office is not explicitly mentioned. Previously, since both the presidential office and residence were located within the Blue House compound, there was no issue with interpreting the law. However, with the physical separation of the residence and office due to the relocation to Yongsan, the criteria for banning assemblies and demonstrations became unclear. Recently, the National Police Agency judged that it is appropriate to interpret the presidential residence under the Assembly and Demonstration Act as including the presidential office. Commissioner Choi said, "I understand this decision was made after comprehensively analyzing the purpose of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and past court precedents," adding, "Since the National Police Agency has provided an authoritative interpretation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, we plan to adhere to that principle when responding to assemblies and demonstrations."

Regarding the investigation into allegations of protocol expenses involving Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, Commissioner Choi said, "The complainant’s investigation is scheduled for this afternoon." The allegations center on claims that the special activity funds of the Blue House included costs for clothes and accessories worn by Mrs. Kim during overseas trips. Previously, the civic group Committee for the Protection of the Common People’s Livelihood requested an investigation into Mrs. Kim on charges including embezzlement on the 25th and 28th of last month. Commissioner Choi stated, "The investigation will proceed according to procedures."

Regarding the plan by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) to hold a rally in downtown Seoul on the 13th, Commissioner Choi warned, "There will be responses from the perspective of managing quarantine laws." Earlier, the KCTU criticized the ban on assemblies citing COVID-19 quarantine measures as political quarantine, arguing that President-elect Yoon is showing anti-labor tendencies and that social distancing measures are being relaxed. The rally planned for the 13th is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants. Commissioner Choi said, "We will assess and take measures from the standpoint of maintaining public order," adding, "Whether the number is 10,000 or any other figure, we will respond accordingly to the situation."

Regarding the investigation into the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, which is suspected of sending political donations to lawmakers using the 'jjogigae' method, Commissioner Choi said, "The investigation is underway according to procedures." A police official stated, "A search warrant was executed on the 5th, and the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Police Agency is conducting the investigation," adding, "We cannot disclose which lawmakers are implicated, but it is not limited to any particular political party."

Regarding the investigation into a man who impersonated a senior Blue House official and called Commissioner Choi to request personnel appointments for a current police officer, Commissioner Choi said, "Two people have been booked." The individuals booked are a man in his 50s, Mr. A, who pretended to be a Blue House chief, and Police Superintendent B, the subject of the personnel request. Commissioner Choi said, "They are strongly denying the allegations," adding, "Regarding the involvement, we held Police Superintendent B responsible and took personnel measures that resulted in disadvantages."