Police: "Penalty Points Imposed for Gaechunjeol Vehicle Protest... License Cancellation or Suspension Possible"

35 Actively Involved Participants in Gwangbokjeol Rally Under Investigation

Jang Ha-yeon, Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As some conservative groups plan a 'drive-thru' style vehicle protest in downtown Seoul on National Foundation Day, the police explained that it is possible to impose penalty points leading to the cancellation or suspension of driver's licenses.

Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a press briefing on the 28th, "Since vehicle protests are subject to the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Assembly Act) according to Supreme Court precedents, if they attempt to proceed with a prohibited assembly, it is not a problem to suppress and block it," adding, "According to other laws such as the Road Traffic Act, there are specified reasons for license suspension and cancellation."

Under the current enforcement regulations of the Road Traffic Act, if a driver disobeys three or more orders to move from a traffic police officer regarding stopping or parking violations, or if a person included in a group or multiple people disobey safety driving instructions from a police officer three or more times or drive in a manner or speed that causes danger or obstruction to others, 40 penalty points are imposed. Accumulating 40 penalty points is grounds for license suspension.

For example, if protest vehicles gather at a location where an assembly ban notice has been issued and the police issue a dispersal order, failure to comply can result in penalty points being assigned and the license being suspended.

Regarding the scale of the vehicle protest, Commissioner Jang said, "It is still difficult to predict," but pointed out, "There are many cases promoted on social network services (SNS) and YouTube broadcasts." He added, "Even though 100 people said they would hold an assembly on Liberation Day, judging by what actually happened, one can understand the police's concerns or worries about how 200 reported vehicles on the day could escalate."

He further stated, "We cannot tolerate a situation where the Liberation Day incident is repeated and threatens public safety," emphasizing, "Among the assemblies reported so far, all those planning assemblies of 10 or more people in prohibited zones or according to the criteria have been issued prohibition notices."

The police plan to take thorough measures to ensure the safety of on-site officers if the assembly is forcibly held. To this end, the police explained that they have prepared 28,000 spare masks, about 10,000 face shields, and other hygiene equipment.

Additionally, the police have placed a total of 65 people under investigation related to the Liberation Day assembly. Among them, 30 were arrested on the spot as flagrante delicto, and investigations on 10 have been completed and sent to the prosecution. Commissioner Jang said, "Investigations are ongoing for 35 people, including the assembly organizers and active participants." Two people, including former National Assembly member Kim Kyung-jae, for whom arrest warrants have been requested, are scheduled to undergo pre-trial detention hearings at the Seoul Central District Court today.

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