Vehicle barriers and fences appearing in Gwanghwamun... Police fully respond to unexpected situations on Gaecheonjeol

Some Conservative Groups Announce Solo Protests
Checkpoints Set Up at 90 Entry Points to Seoul Downtown
Immediate Disbandment Measures for Illegal Gatherings

On the morning of October 3rd, National Foundation Day, police buses lined up on the road in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to block sudden rallies and protests. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On October 3rd, National Foundation Day, the police have launched an all-out response to prevent sudden rallies and demonstrations in downtown Seoul. As initially announced, the police will operate checkpoints to block entry into the city center and take strict action against illegal assemblies.

According to the police on the 3rd, checkpoints have been set up at 90 entry points into Seoul city to inspect vehicles entering the downtown area. Additionally, about 900 personnel from 21 companies, along with around 800 traffic and local police officers, have been deployed.

From Gwanghwamun Square, a major rally site, to Seoul City Hall along Sejong-daero and the sidewalks, approximately 300 police buses have been stationed. In particular, steel fences secured with cables have been installed at Gwanghwamun Square. Police officers have also been positioned in alleys around Gwanghwamun Square to question visitors about their purpose and control access.

Some conservative groups had announced plans for press conferences and one-person protests at Gwanghwamun Square in the afternoon. However, the police are expected to actively respond, viewing multiple one-person protests as illegal assemblies.

In fact, according to court precedents, the Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that one-person protests conducted by labor union members spaced 10 to 30 meters apart were considered assemblies, and the organizers violated the Assembly and Demonstration Act. This means that multiple one-person protests held in relatively confined spaces are regarded as assemblies.

Before the Chuseok holiday began, the police announced a plan to operate a three-layered checkpoint system?Seoul city boundary (Si-gye) - Gangsan (on the Han River bridge) - downtown area?to block participants from entering the city center.

Furthermore, the police will mobilize maximum personnel and equipment at expected major gathering sites to thoroughly block assemblies. If illegal assemblies proceed, the police will carry out dispersal procedures and arrest those who disobey dispersal orders on-site, directly enforcing dispersal measures.

Earlier, Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong emphasized during a nationwide command video conference in preparation for the National Foundation Day rallies, "Holding illegal assemblies despite the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious crime that threatens community safety and undermines public order. Acts that disrupt quarantine efforts, which citizens and the government have worked hard to maintain, must never be tolerated."

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