Even Simple Participants in Gwangbokjeol Rallies Face Punishment if They Refuse 'Diagnostic Testing'

Local Governments Issue Administrative Orders
Fines Up to 3 Million Won Possible
Police Accelerate Investigation of Illegal Assembly Activities

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Even those who simply participated in the Liberation Day rally and refuse to undergo testing for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are expected to face punishment. Additionally, the police are investigating whether the participation of Sarang Jeil Church members in other group rallies constitutes illegal activity.

According to the police on the 19th, they have arrested 30 people and are investigating charges of obstruction of official duties and non-compliance with dispersal orders that occurred at the Liberation Day rally in downtown Seoul on the 15th. The police are also reportedly reviewing whether the participation of Sarang Jeil Church members in rallies organized and permitted by other groups constitutes illegal conduct. A police official stated, "The Liberation Day rally at Gwanghwamun involved violations of the assembly ban order for an extended period, indicating a high likelihood of illegality."

Initially, rallies at Gwanghwamun were banned under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's administrative order prohibiting assemblies. However, following a court injunction, only two groups?the conservative organization 'Ilpamanpa' and the 4·15 National Struggle Headquarters against Election Fraud (Guktu-bon) led by former Future United Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook?were permitted to hold rallies. Nevertheless, other groups whose rallies were banned or canceled attended these permitted rallies, resulting in attendance exceeding the reported numbers. Ilpamanpa had reported 100 participants, but the actual number of attendees at the Gwanghwamun rally reached 20,000.

In particular, it was revealed that Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who tested positive for COVID-19, along with dozens of church members from Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul?where a cluster infection occurred?attended the Liberation Day rally. It was also found that preventive measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing were not properly observed during the rally.

Meanwhile, even simple participants in the rally can be punished if they conceal their attendance and refuse to undergo COVID-19 testing. Already, many metropolitan local governments nationwide, including Gyeonggi Province, Daegu, Sejong, Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk, have issued 'administrative orders for diagnostic testing' targeting Sarang Jeil Church members and Liberation Day rally participants. Those who refuse and later test positive for COVID-19 may face fines of up to 3 million won under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. If a person conceals their participation in the Liberation Day rally during epidemiological investigations after testing positive, they may face harsher penalties, including imprisonment for up to two years or fines up to 20 million won. The police plan to accelerate investigations into related illegal activities while cooperating with health authorities in tracking suspected infections. A National Police Agency official emphasized, "We will conduct swift and strict investigations into violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.