'Ban on Protests in Front of Private Residences' Proposed... Will Peace Return to Pyeongsan Village Where Moon Jae-in Retired?

Noise from Some Conservative Group Protests Causes Suffering for Residents Near Moon's Residence
Ruling and Opposition Parties Say "Political Expression Freedom Must Be Guaranteed, But Residents Should Not Be Inconvenienced"
Bill Proposed to Ban Protests in Front of Former President's Residence... Concerns Over 'Freedom of Assembly' Infringement
Experts Say "It Is Preferable to Resolve Within Existing Legal Frameworks Like Police Response"

On the morning of the 15th, a rally was held around the residence of former President Moon Jae-in and his wife in Pyeongsan Village, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Conservative groups have been holding daily rallies near Pyeongsan Village, where former President Moon Jae-in has retired, causing discomfort among nearby residents. Amid repeated calls from the political sphere to refrain from gatherings, a bill banning protests within 100 meters of former presidents' residences was proposed in mid-May.

Some supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea are backing the bill through a petition campaign opposing rallies in front of the former president's residence, but concerns have been raised that the bill could potentially restrict freedom of assembly if passed.

Since May 10, conservative groups have continued protests targeting former President Moon, who retired to the village two weeks ago. They have caused noise disturbances by playing music through loudspeakers and shouting insults around the residence, causing inconvenience to local residents. On May 15, former President Moon expressed his discomfort on Twitter, stating, "The noise from loudspeakers and insults is disturbing the peace and freedom of a small rural village on a Sunday."

In response, on May 17, Democratic Party lawmakers Jeong Cheong-rae and Go Min-jung proposed a partial amendment to the Assembly and Demonstration Act to ban protests within 100 meters of former presidents' residences. The amendment aims to include former presidents' residences among the prohibited areas for assemblies and demonstrations, alongside presidential residences, prime ministerial official residences, and diplomatic institutions related to key national figures.

Lawmaker Jeong explained the reason for proposing the bill: "While the freedom of assembly and demonstration must be guaranteed, that freedom should not infringe upon other citizens' basic rights such as residential rights and the right to live. Including former presidents' residences in the restricted areas would allow the enforcement of stricter noise standards through enforcement ordinances compared to general residential areas, minimizing the damage to nearby residents."

Supporters of the Democratic Party also strengthened the bill through a petition campaign. On May 23, some supporters of former President Moon reportedly held a petition drive opposing rallies in front of the residence during the memorial ceremony for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province.

Former President Moon Jae-in is greeting supporters as he heads to his private residence in Pyeongsan Village, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, some argue that attempts to restrict freedom of assembly through this amendment are inappropriate. Politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, while criticizing inappropriate protest methods, agreed that the fundamental right to assemble must be protected.

Regarding this, political commentator Lee Jong-hoon suggested that resolving the issue within the framework of existing laws would be preferable. He said, "Even without the Assembly Ban Act, there are already laws to control protests that cause inconvenience to nearby residents. Acts causing noise at night are prohibited even in ordinary residential areas, not just near the residence. Since security is already in place in front of the residence, the police can respond appropriately. This is not an issue that requires additional legislation." He added, "There have been protests and disturbances in front of other former presidents' residences as well, so this amendment could be criticized as the 'Moon Jae-in Protection Act' or 'excessive loyalty.'"

Previously, politicians across party lines have requested restraint from noisy protests near former President Moon's residence. On May 23, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan said on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "Village elders who cannot tolerate the noise are going to hospitals for treatment. Some YouTubers keep playing the National Education Charter and continuing protests. This continues even on weekends, with unbearable shouting and constant cursing throughout the day." He urged, "I hope they stop. This is something no human should do. I also ask that public authorities firmly enforce the law against illegal acts beyond legal boundaries."

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon also posted on Facebook on May 17, "Even if the noise does not exceed the loudspeaker noise standards for residential areas, it is hard to understand the authorities' decision to allow 24-hour protests in a small rural village with many elderly residents. I urge the police and administrative authorities to reconsider."

The People Power Party also pointed out inappropriate protest methods. On May 16, party leader Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook, "The freedom to express political opinions around former President Moon's residence must be guaranteed. It is a right no one can block." However, he added, "The effectiveness of a message does not necessarily correlate with the volume of loudspeakers or the inconvenience caused to nearby residents. I hope messages to President Moon are delivered in a moderate and logical manner." On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also stated on Facebook, "Political expression should be free anytime and anywhere, but it should not become a nuisance."

Meanwhile, the police have issued a notice restricting the use of loudspeakers at night from May 13 to June 5 in response to petitions and complaints from village residents about noise disturbances.