Court Allows 'Drive-Through' Gatherings with Fewer Than 10 Vehicles on Gaecheonjeol

Participants in the rally must proceed only along the reported route while maintaining formation

On the 29th, as Seoul continues to maintain its stance against permitting the October 3rd National Foundation Day rally, fences to prevent illegal gatherings are being installed around Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] The court partially allowed a 'drive-through' rally using vehicles with fewer than 10 people on National Foundation Day.

The Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 6 (Presiding Judge Seong-yong Lee) on the 30th partially granted the injunction request filed by Mr. Oh, a member of the "People's Movement for a New Korea" (SaeHanguk), against the outdoor assembly ban imposed by the Gangdong Police Station in Seoul.

The court stated, "The rally requested by Mr. Oh involves up to 9 people traveling in vehicles for 2 hours," and "Considering the reported number of participants, duration, protest method, and route, there is no clear objective risk of spreading infectious diseases or causing traffic disruption," and thus suspended the effect of the outdoor assembly ban until the main case is decided. Accordingly, Mr. Oh and others can hold a rally with 9 participants using 9 vehicles.

However, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the court set conditions including ▲ submitting the names, contact information, and vehicle numbers of participants to the police and having them verified before the rally starts ▲ refraining from face-to-face meetings or contact before and after the rally ▲ allowing only one participant per vehicle ▲ not opening windows or chanting slogans during the rally under any circumstances.

Participants must maintain formation and proceed only along the reported route, and if a third party or third vehicle attempts to join the procession, they must not proceed until the police intervene. If participants do not comply with police or quarantine authorities' orders, the police may order dispersal.

Previously, Mr. Oh had reported plans to hold a vehicle-based rally on National Foundation Day but received a prohibition notice, leading him to file an administrative lawsuit and injunction request against the police.

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