Broadcasting Commission Chair: "'Phone OFF' Gaecheonjeol Rally Is Intentional Quarantine Disruption"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, criticized on the 8th the encouragement by some conservative groups to participate in the National Foundation Day rally with their cell phones turned off, calling it an "organized and intentional act of obstructing quarantine measures."

At the Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly that day, Chairman Han responded to related inquiries by saying, "We will respond strictly within the limits allowed by law."

He added that if participants attend the rally with their cell phones turned off, "it is expected to be very difficult (to track their location)," and said, "We will look for measures."

Previously, during the Gwangbokjeol rally at Gwanghwamun, which triggered the spread of COVID-19 cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area, some members intentionally turned off their cell phones and used cash instead of cards, causing actual difficulties for quarantine authorities in conducting tracking investigations.

Currently, online there is a poster related to the National Foundation Day rally titled "Again, October 3rd, 2 PM, Free Right-wing Gathering," which includes the phrase "Handphone Off (OFF)" meaning to turn off cell phones, raising concerns that the quarantine network could be breached again. However, conservative groups have stated that they are not related to the poster.

Regarding the criticism by independent lawmaker Yang Jeong-suk that holding two confirmation hearings within 11 months is a waste of administrative resources, Chairman Han replied, "Please find an appropriate point between the aspect of administrative resource waste and the value of candidate verification." Lawmaker Yang mentioned the need to pass a bill to exempt the reappointed chairman of the Korea Communications Commission from confirmation hearings during by-elections.

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