Square Completely Sealed Off with Barricades and Fences... "Gwanghwamun Has Become a Jaeinsanseong"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a lecture on the topic "Talking about Korean Society: The Future of Ideology, Generation, and Culture" at an Economic and Social Research Institute seminar held on the afternoon of July 2nd at Choi In-ah Bookstore in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon mocked the government's decision to ban gatherings by erecting barricades around Gwanghwamun, calling it the "Jaein Fortress." The Democratic Party of Korea immediately rebutted, calling it the "last stronghold," but lawmakers from the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party's defense, saying it was a scene "only seen in dictatorial times."

On the 3rd, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook, saying, "Emergency COVID-19 measures. Gwanghwamun transformed into the Jaein Fortress," along with a photo of Gwanghwamun Square completely controlled by police buses.

He continued, "It looks like a metaphysical painting by De Chirico," criticizing the scene. The Greek-born painter Giorgio de Chirico (1888?1978) is famous in Western art history for his "metaphysical paintings." Especially his unstable compositions with diagonal lines and gloomy colors evoke a dreamlike and surreal feeling.

Professor Jin's criticism was directed at the government's complete lockdown of Gwanghwamun on that day.

On October 3rd, National Foundation Day, the area around Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is surrounded by barricades and fences. [Image source = Yonhap News]

On that day, as 'drive-through' vehicle protests took place across Seoul, the police set up checkpoints at 90 city entrances to prevent cars from entering downtown and inspected moving vehicles. In particular, citizens' access to Gwanghwamun Square was completely blocked, and pedestrians heading to the square were individually questioned and controlled.

Fences fixed with cables were installed around Gwanghwamun Square to block general access, and some citizens, appearing to be members of conservative groups, held one-person protests at the square's outskirts, holding placards with slogans such as "Is Gwanghwamun yours?" and "April 15 fraudulent election," condemning the government.

In response to such criticism, the Democratic Party of Korea immediately defended the measures.

Kang Sun-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing that "What we need to focus on now is the 'war against COVID-19,'" adding, "The barricades surrounding Gwanghwamun Square were the last stronghold to protect the safety of our citizens."

He continued, "The nearby merchants sighed deeply between the blocked streets, and the inconvenience to citizens was significant," adding, "We have paid a heavy social cost due to the Liberation Day and National Foundation Day rallies. We hope such incidents will not be repeated."

On the 3rd, shutters were closed at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5, and notices about trains not stopping were posted to control movement during the city center rally and restrict access around Gwanghwamun Square.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, lawmakers from the People Power Party criticized this, calling it "an anti-democratic scene by a regime shouting democracy" and "a sight only seen in dictatorial times."

Yoo Sang-bum, a People Power Party lawmaker, posted CCTV footage of the Gwanghwamun area on his Facebook, saying, "Jaein Fortress? Is this normal? This is a scene only seen during the dictatorship era when all gatherings were banned," sharply criticizing the situation.

Lawmaker Park Dae-chul also said, "It seems both different and similar to the 'Seoul Spring' 40 years ago when tear gas and Molotov cocktails were rampant," adding, "Does the coronavirus only go to Gwanghwamun? If the 'Jaein Fortress' can stop the coronavirus, shouldn't barricades be set up all over the country?" criticizing the Democratic Party's defense.

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