Large-scale Rally Scheduled Again on Hangul Day... Total Blockade if Forced Through

Seoul Assembly and Demonstration Reports 1,096 Cases
Police Maintain Ban Notification Policy
Controversy Over Police Bus 'Barrier' at Gwanghwamun Square
Police Chief: "Minimizing Contact Is an Unavoidable Measure"

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-ju] Amid the continued spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), some conservative groups have announced plans to hold rallies on Hangul Day, October 9, maintaining a tense atmosphere. The police have stated that if there are moves to forcibly hold large-scale rallies, they may once again implement city lockdown measures following those on National Foundation Day, which is expected to spark controversy.

According to the police on the 5th, as of the previous day, about 1,096 rallies and demonstrations were reported in Seoul for Hangul Day. Among these, the police issued prohibition notices for 102 rallies, including those with more than 10 participants and those held in designated rally ban zones such as Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, and Nowon-gu.

Earlier, when conservative groups showed signs of forcibly holding rallies on National Foundation Day, the police completely blocked downtown Seoul. They operated checkpoints at 90 city entry points and deployed about 300 police buses to form a 'barrier' along Sejong-daero from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall. Control measures were also applied to pedestrians attempting to enter downtown. As a result, large-scale rallies in downtown Seoul were completely blocked, and only 'drive-through' vehicle protests were conducted normally around Seocho-gu.

Meanwhile, conservative groups have announced plans for rallies on Hangul Day. Choi In-sik, Secretary-General of the National Emergency Response Committee for Participants of the August 15 Rally, stated, "We plan to continue filing rally reports on the 9th, 16th, and 17th," adding, "Even if rallies are blocked, we have no intention of changing to non-rally methods." The legal team of Sarang Jeil Church and the Patriotic Patrol Team, which conducted vehicle protests on National Foundation Day, are also planning a press conference on Hangul Day.

The police have expressed their intention to maintain the rally ban notices primarily for COVID-19 prevention and to monitor the situation. However, if conservative groups continue to encourage rallies at Gwanghwamun on Hangul Day, the police are expected to consider another city lockdown. A police official said, "During the Liberation Day rally, 100 people were reported, but thousands gathered," leaving open the possibility that "large-scale rallies could significantly impact quarantine measures."

However, the police are also burdened by criticism that city lockdowns are excessive measures. The vehicle barriers installed at Gwanghwamun have even been nicknamed "Jaein Fortress," a play on the "Myungbak Fortress" installed during the Lee Myung-bak administration to respond to the mad cow disease candlelight protests. Inconvenience to the general public due to control measures is inevitable. Aware of this, the police unusually issued a statement on National Foundation Day saying, "Thanks to citizens willingly enduring inconvenience and cooperating, the situation was safely resolved."

Regarding this, Police Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong emphasized at a press briefing, "These unavoidable measures were chosen by the police to minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission or spread caused by direct contact," and added, "We will devise the best measures to prevent illegal rallies and minimize the spread of infectious diseases."

The quarantine authorities have repeatedly urged restraint in holding rallies. Son Young-rae, Head of Strategic Planning at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "We judge that the risk to quarantine is high this weekend as well," and requested once again, "Please refrain from rallies where many people gather until the COVID-19 situation is clearly stabilized."

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