7 Police Officers Mobilized for 'Gwanghwamun Rally' Confirmed with COVID-19...Strengthened Management of Rally and Detention Center (Comprehensive)

Waiting for retest results of 4 people... More confirmed cases possible
Police officers at rally wear 'face shields'
Designated detention center transport if confirmed cases occur
National Police Chief: "Strictly comply with quarantine measures"

On the 15th, a rally held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, led mainly by conservative groups. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Seven police officers who were deployed at the conservative group's 'Liberation Day rally' held around Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th of this month tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the National Police Agency on the 24th, as of 8 a.m. that day, seven police officers who were deployed at the Gwanghwamun Liberation Day rally site tested positive for COVID-19. All confirmed cases belong to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and among them, one is a conscripted policeman.

The police conducted COVID-19 mass testing on 9,536 police officers who were deployed at the rally site from the 18th to the 21st. Following the initial confirmation of four cases on the 20th, one more case was confirmed on the 21st, and two additional cases on the 23rd.

Additionally, four officers from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency are undergoing retesting and awaiting results. Therefore, the number of confirmed cases may increase.

A police official explained, "According to the guidelines of the health authorities, personnel who had contact with confirmed cases are self-quarantined for 14 days, and other personnel classified as non-contact are also self-quarantined for seven days internally to ensure safety."

The police plan to strengthen safety measures for officers deployed to maintain order during future large-scale rallies. They will minimize contact with rally participants by using safety fences and install order maintenance lines (P/L) around crowded places such as Gwanghwamun Square to proactively block citizens' risk of infection.

Furthermore, police officers at the scene who are at high risk of close contact with rally participants will wear not only masks but also face shields to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, and if they come into contact with confirmed cases, they will be able to promptly undergo diagnostic testing.

Management of police station detention centers will also be strengthened. Currently, when detainees are admitted, the police check for fever, suspicious symptoms, and contact with confirmed cases, and measure body temperature twice a day. In case of confirmed cases, detainees who had contact will be transferred to designated detention centers in advance, and contact police officers will undergo diagnostic testing followed by self-quarantine and disinfection of the station to minimize further spread.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, emphasized in a written statement at a press briefing that day, "We will do our best to prevent additional confirmed cases by thoroughly adhering to quarantine measures, including strengthening disinfection at police stations."

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