"Geu Saramdeul Rights" vs "Strong Measures" Controversy Over Drive-Thru Rally on Gaecheonjeol

Some Conservative Groups Hold 'Drive-Thru' Rally in Response to Gaecheonjeol Rally Ban
Government and Ruling Party: "If Our Society Is Put at Risk Again, No Tolerance Can Be Expected"
Joo Ho-young: "If It Doesn't Disrupt Traffic or Quarantine, Isn't It Their Right?"

On the afternoon of the 15th of last month, participants of a rally condemning the government and the ruling party, hosted by Sarang Jeil Church and the Liberty Solidarity, filled Sejong-daero in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Young-eun] Some conservative figures mentioned the possibility of holding the October 3rd National Foundation Day rally in a 'drive-thru' format. In response, Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said, "There must be more sophisticated ways of expressing opinions than protests like drive-thru rallies."

Currently, there are differing opinions within the political sphere regarding the conservative civic groups' intention to proceed with the National Foundation Day rally. The government and ruling party have urged against holding the rally due to concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19. On the other hand, the People Power Party has emphasized the right of assembly as a guarantee of freedom for those participating in the rally.

On the 23rd, Lee appeared on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and commented on the drive-thru rally, saying, "I’m not sure if the rule of only participating inside the car will be strictly followed, but if people who gathered by car meet to see each other's faces after a long time, the next problem might be somewhat uncontrollable," adding, "If they meet just to see each other’s faces, there could be points where quarantine measures are compromised."

Park Won-seok, Policy Committee Chair of the Justice Party, who appeared together, said, "I still think this is a dilemma that the People Power Party is facing. Socially, this is undesirable. As Lee Jun-seok just mentioned, if they only stay inside their vehicles and then leave, that might be acceptable, but that’s unlikely, isn’t it?"

He continued, "Looking at the nature of the August 15th rally, many participants were not well controlled by the organizers, so they might get out and protest in some form, and the vehicle rally could disrupt traffic. However, from the perspective of Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, it’s difficult to take only a critical stance because there are circumstances involving the party’s support base," he said.

In response, former Supreme Council member Lee said, "I think there are other ways of expressing opinions rather than protests like drive-thru rallies," adding, "(Now) I believe it’s time for the conservative side to consider expressing their opinions in a more sophisticated manner," referring to alternative rally methods instead of the 'drive-thru' format.

Amid various opinions on the format of the National Foundation Day rally, the government and ruling party have taken a hardline stance against the rally.

President Moon Jae-in said in his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 22nd, "We will take strong measures against any acts that undermine the quarantine efforts of the people who are working hard," adding, "If our society is put at risk again, no tolerance can be expected."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also requested Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong on the same day to "block the National Foundation Day rally at its source with resolute determination, risking the honor of the police."

Meeting with Chief Kim at the National Assembly, Lee expressed concern, saying, "I invited the chief because of COVID-19. Although the number of confirmed cases has dropped to double digits, it is not yet a stage to be relieved," and added, "We still face the challenges of the Chuseok holiday, National Foundation Day, and Hangeul Day rally plans."

Lee emphasized, "Places like Gwanghwamun have all been prohibited from holding rallies in accordance with the National Foundation Day and Hangeul Day rallies, so the situation is somewhat different from the Liberation Day rally, but the organizers have not yet withdrawn their rally plans," and urged, "I hope you will block the rally at its source with resolute determination to show the public that public authority is alive."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has mentioned the right to freedom of assembly, leading to differing opinions within the political sphere regarding the National Foundation Day rally. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said after a virtual party meeting in the afternoon, "We need to determine whether the law permits (drive-thru rallies) and whether they interfere with quarantine," adding, "If they do not interfere with traffic and quarantine, isn’t that their right?"

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