President Moon Rebuts 'Jaeinsanseong' Controversy... "Police Doing Their Best to Prevent Gaps in Quarantine"

"Thorough Preparedness for Re-spread, Blocking Without Gaps"
"Citizens Also Willing to Endure Traffic Inconvenience" Appreciation Expressed

On the morning of October 3rd, National Foundation Day, police vehicles formed a barricade on Sejong-daero and the sidewalks stretching from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall to block sudden rallies and demonstrations. Additionally, fences secured with cables were installed at Gwanghwamun Square.

President Moon Jae-in evaluated on the 5th that "the police also did their best to ensure there were no gaps in quarantine measures" amid opposition parties' criticism of the police erecting barricades to block some conservative groups' rallies in Gwanghwamun, calling it a "Jaein Fortress."

President Moon presided over a senior secretaries and aides meeting held at the Blue House that day and said in his opening remarks, "Fortunately, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases remained in double digits throughout the holiday and showed a decreasing trend."

He added, "Especially regarding the illegal rallies on Gaecheonjeol, which were a major concern, we thoroughly prepared to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 and blocked it without any gaps," and praised, "Citizens also endured considerable traffic inconveniences."

This remark from President Moon came amid ongoing disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over the police's vehicle blockade of Gwanghwamun on the 3rd. It is interpreted as a reiteration of the government's intention to strictly enforce public authority regarding quarantine measures going forward. Conservative groups have announced large-scale protests on Hangeul Day on the 9th following Gaecheonjeol, and police deployment to the square is expected to continue.

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 5th.

The opposition parties are sharpening their criticism of the government's moves.

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, said at the emergency committee meeting on the 5th, "The government appears to be building a new fortress on the streets of Gwanghwamun," and criticized, "I cannot understand at all why the government mobilized massive police forces and buses to fortify the city center as if it were a fortress out of fear."

Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and raised his voice, saying, "The government told powerless citizens not to even visit their parents' graves and threatened to revoke driver's licenses for drive-thru rallies," and "While ostensibly banning the spread of COVID-19 at the Gaecheonjeol rally, it actually blocked all anti-government rallies and protests."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a National Assembly press conference, "The 'Jaein Fortress' built by piling police buses layer upon layer in Gwanghwamun Square saddened the people," and defined it as "effectively declaring a COVID-19 martial law."

He pointed out, "Medical quarantine and health quarantine have vanished, and the country has become one of political and police quarantine," and "The government exercised public authority that practically interfered with and prohibited the freedom of assembly and demonstration guaranteed by the constitution and recognized by the courts."

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also wrote on Facebook, "Seeing the president who said he would come out to Gwanghwamun to talk build a fortress, it seems that in his eyes, the people look like barbarians."

On the morning of October 3rd, National Foundation Day, police vehicles are forming barricades on Sejong-daero and the sidewalks stretching from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall to block any sudden gatherings or protests. Additionally, fences secured with cables have been installed at Gwanghwamun Square.

Meanwhile, at the meeting that day, President Moon expressed gratitude regarding COVID-19 quarantine during the Chuseok holiday, saying, "It was a special Chuseok spent under special quarantine measures, but the people cooperated well."

He explained, "It is also fortunate that safety accidents such as traffic and maritime accidents decreased significantly," adding, "This is the result of reduced movement dispersing traffic, combined with the ministries' preparedness and the public's safety awareness."

Furthermore, President Moon shared, "There was also good news about the economy," stating, "The second-quarter economic growth rate ranked first among OECD countries, and exports in September increased by 7.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching the highest level this year."

He continued, "The reason our quarantine is evaluated as a global model is because we are also performing well economically," and said, "These positive results are all thanks to the active cooperation of the people. I sincerely thank you once again."

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