Seoul City Files Complaint Against Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and 'Beomtu-bon' for Forcing Gwanghwamun Rally Over the Weekend

Seoul City Files Charges Under Infectious Disease Prevention Act Article 80
2,000 People Gather Despite Ban Announcement

Seoul City has decided to temporarily ban gatherings at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggye Plaza to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Meanwhile, on the 23rd, the National Rally to Set the Republic of Korea Straight, hosted by the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon), is being held in front of the Kyobo Building at Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has reported the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon) to the Jongno Police Station for holding a rally last weekend in violation of the assembly ban issued to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 24th, the city announced that it has prioritized filing charges against 10 individuals, including Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, for whom evidence has been secured, under Article 80 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and plans to file additional charges after further analysis of the evidence.

On the 21st, due to an urgent need to prevent risks to citizens' health, the city announced a ban on assemblies in three squares including Gwanghwamun Square and surrounding areas in the city center under Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. However, despite the ban, Beomtu-bon proceeded with the rally last weekend, gathering more than 2,000 church members.

During the weekend, city officials, with active cooperation from the police, guided and promoted restraint from participating in the rally and COVID-19 prevention measures to participants, while simultaneously conducting evidence collection on the rally organizers and participants.

Kang Maeng-hoon, Director of the Urban Regeneration Office of the city, stated, "We plan to completely block all assemblies held in the squares in cooperation with the police, and will strongly respond with active prosecution measures against all rally participants."

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