[Summary] Ruling Party "Quarantine Wall" vs Opposition "Jaeinsanseong" Blocking Gaecheonjeol Rally, Political Clash

Ruling Party: "Completely Block Illegal Rallies on Hangul Day"
Opposition: "Effectively a COVID Martial Law"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over the police's blockade of some conservative groups' gatherings on Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day). The ruling party evaluated it as a legitimate measure for quarantine and insisted that the Hangul Day gatherings should also be completely blocked, while the opposition party criticized it as 'dictatorship.'

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook on the 3rd, "The Gaecheonjeol gathering of some conservative groups in Gwanghwamun was blocked without major clashes. I thank the police for their hard work," adding, "The public's concern about the resurgence of COVID-19 greatly contributed to the blocking of illegal gatherings."

Earlier that day, the planned gathering in downtown Seoul was canceled due to the police's complete blockade. Conservative groups that led the Liberation Day gatherings could not enter Gwanghwamun Square and held a press conference nearby. During this process, some YouTubers and citizens sporadically engaged in 'one-person protests,' leading to confrontations with the police, but no major clashes occurred.

Regarding this, Lee said, "Although one worry has been eased, some groups have announced gatherings for Hangul Day again," and added, "Regardless of the reason, illegal gatherings or acts that interfere with quarantine cannot be tolerated." He emphasized, "The police should completely block illegal gatherings on Hangul Day as well and preemptively eliminate risk factors."

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, also commented on the 4th under the title 'Closed Gwanghwamun Square, a "Wall of Quarantine" for the Safety of the People,' saying, "The Gaecheonjeol gathering ended with some groups pushing ahead with a press conference, creating a tense situation," and opened by saying, "Police forces and vehicles were fully mobilized to block everywhere from Gwanghwamun Square to Sejong-ro intersection and Seoul Plaza."

She continued, "What we need to focus on now is the 'war against COVID-19.' The vehicle barricades surrounding Gwanghwamun Square were the last bastion to protect the safety of our people," adding, "Now, administrative power should be concentrated on 'COVID-19 quarantine' itself. I sincerely hope that incidents like today will not be repeated."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae also defended the police's complete blockade. On his Facebook that day, he explained, "Due to the August 15 Jeon Gwang-hoon gathering, COVID-19 cases rapidly increased, raising social distancing to level 2.5, and with over 400 confirmed cases daily, the pain of small business owners, self-employed people, and all citizens doubled," adding, "It seemed the situation was easing, but the Gaecheonjeol gathering plunged the entire nation into a fearful atmosphere, leading the quarantine authorities and police to decide on blocking the square for quarantine after much deliberation."

He added, "Do the opposition party and conservative groups not see the efforts of many people fighting COVID-19? Daytime public officials and nighttime police are mobilized, doing their best for quarantine and citizens' safety. It is terrifying to think about the damage to our economy if confirmed cases surge again."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, protest participants attempting to hold a rally in the city center near the intersection at the entrance of Jongno-gu Office in Jongno 1-ga, Seoul, were blocked by the police. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, the People Power Party continues to criticize the government's gathering blockade as an 'excessive response.'

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a press briefing held at the National Assembly that day, "The Moon Jae-in administration not only installed checkpoints at 90 locations in Seoul on the previous day (the 3rd) and mobilized 10,000 police officers from about 180 units but also built a fortress in Gwanghwamun with 300 police buses, completely blocking citizens' gatherings," adding, "The 'Jaein Fortress' built with layers of police buses saddened the people. It was as if a de facto COVID-19 martial law was declared in Gwanghwamun Square."

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the same party, also sarcastically said in a statement that day, "To block just nine drive-thru protest vehicles from entering, 10,000 police officers and hundreds of police cars were deployed. We worry about the health of the densely packed police officers," adding, "They once said they would come out to Gwanghwamun Square to communicate. Now, the government is 'noise-canceling' the voices of the people."

Yoo Sang-bum, a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "Jaein Fortress? Is this normal? It is a sight reminiscent of the days when gatherings were blocked during the dictatorship era," and Park Soo-young, from the same party, said, "The shadow of dictatorship lingers over the closed square." Park Dae-chul, also a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "Unlike or similar to the 'Seoul Spring' 40 years ago when tear gas and Molotov cocktails were rampant, this is an anti-democratic scene by a regime shouting democracy," sarcastically adding, "Does the coronavirus only go to Gwanghwamun? If the 'Jaein Fortress' can block the coronavirus, shouldn't it surround every corner of the country?"

Meanwhile, regarding some groups announcing gatherings for Hangul Day following Gaecheonjeol, the government requested restraint to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Son Young-rae, head of strategic planning at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing held that day, "We judge that this weekend's (gatherings) also pose a high quarantine risk," adding, "We once again request that gatherings with large crowds be refrained from until the COVID-19 situation is clearly stabilized."

Son also explained regarding the ban on the Gaecheonjeol gathering on the 3rd, "Freedom of expression is a very important right of the people, but this was considered in light of quarantine risks for the safety of the people."

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