Ruling Party and Government Take Tough Stance on Illegal Protests... Considering Restrictions on 'Commute-Time Demonstrations'

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The People Power Party and the government have decided to create a 'Task Force (tentative name) for the Establishment of Public Order and Protection of Citizens' Rights' to develop comprehensive measures related to illegal urban demonstrations. In particular, they are considering restricting assemblies and demonstrations held by groups with a history of illegal protests or those held on major urban roads during commuting hours at the reporting stage.

On the morning of the 24th, the party and government held a 'Council for the Establishment of Public Order and Protection of Citizens' Rights' at the National Assembly to review such measures. Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters after the council, "The TF will review comprehensive government-level measures and will be operated by the Prime Minister's Office for a certain period," adding, "It will resolve the inconvenience caused to citizens by various urban demonstrations such as overnight protests and the widespread illegality."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party-government council held at the National Assembly on the 24th to establish public order and protect the rights and interests of the people. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Floor Leader Yoon said, "We also discussed the need to respond thoroughly at the assembly reporting stage," adding, "We reviewed the possibility of restricting assemblies and demonstrations by groups with a history of illegal activities that clearly pose a direct threat to others, corporations, or public order."

He continued, "Assemblies and demonstrations held on major urban roads during commuting hours must also be restricted at the reporting stage," pointing out, "Currently, violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (the Assembly Act) are widespread on site, and assemblies and demonstrations are not conducted according to the law." He added, "There was consensus on the need to actively interpret the law in line with its purpose regarding assemblies disguised as nighttime cultural events or other evasive tactics."

The party and government also agreed that the one-night, two-day overnight protest by the Construction Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on the 16th should be regarded as an extension of a reported assembly and requires a response. Police plan to take firm legal action against the assembly, according to Floor Leader Yoon.

They also plan to accelerate the revision of the Assembly Act to ban outdoor assemblies from midnight to 6 a.m. In 2009, the Constitutional Court ruled the Assembly Act Article 10, which prohibits outdoor assemblies or demonstrations before sunrise or after sunset, as unconstitutional. Floor Leader Yoon said, "Despite the unconstitutionality ruling, the National Assembly has neglected its duty by not legislating, and the Assembly must fulfill its responsibilities somehow," adding that he will negotiate with opposition parties focusing on the bill he proposed regarding assemblies and demonstrations. The noise standards will also be strengthened. Floor Leader Yoon added, "There is a bill by Representative Kwon Young-se to strengthen noise standards, and we plan to discuss this bill with opposition parties."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon adjusts his glasses at the party-government meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th to establish public order and protect the rights and interests of the people. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Police response at sites of assemblies and demonstrations is also expected to be strengthened. Floor Leader Yoon said, "We concluded that manuals or other factors that have discouraged legitimate public authority enforcement under the previous government should be identified and improved by the police," adding, "We must devise various measures to protect public officials on site from disadvantages due to exercising public authority."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon said in his opening remarks before the council, "I believe that the freedom to legally express opinions through assemblies and demonstrations is sufficiently guaranteed in South Korea in 2023," but added, "(However) illegal assemblies threaten citizens' daily lives and safety. The Ministry of Justice and the prosecution will maintain a strict investigation policy based on law and principles and do their best to eradicate the vicious cycle of illegal assemblies."

The council was attended by Han, along with Han Chang-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, while Kang Seung-gyu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office, was present. From the party, Secretary-General Lee Cheol-gyu and Lee Man-hee, Secretary of the Administrative Safety Committee, participated in the discussions.