[2020 National Audit] National Foundation Day Rally Barricades: "Creating Atmosphere of Fear" vs "COVID-19 Response"

Jinyoung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, "Inevitable Choice"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 7th, the ruling and opposition parties showed clear differences in stance over the installation of vehicle barriers at Gwanghwamun Square to block the National Foundation Day rally during the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's audit by the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee. The People Power Party criticized the government and ruling party for an excessive response, while the Democratic Party of Korea responded that it was a measure to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19.

Seo Beom-su, a member of the People Power Party, said, "There has been much controversy over excessive response related to the National Foundation Day rallies and protests," adding, "While blocking drive-through vehicle protests, not only criminal punishment but also driver's license cancellation was mentioned, and more than 10,000 police officers were mobilized to build a 'Jaeinsanseong' (reminiscent of a fortress). This is the police chief threatening the people and creating an atmosphere of fear," he criticized.

Seo pointed out fairness issues by citing that the vehicle protests were conducted in the same way as the drive-through testing by health authorities and the vehicles gathered at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park on National Foundation Day. He added, "There is no disagreement that the government must do its utmost to protect the health and lives of the people, but there must be minimum principles. More consideration should have been given to how to appropriately balance the people's right to health and the constitutional freedom of assembly and protest." In response, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young said, "Since the health authorities prohibited the rally, it had to be blocked," and added, "It may look that way, but I think it was an unavoidable choice."

When Seo raised the issue of the police chief reporting large-scale rally response plans to the former ruling party leader before National Foundation Day, Minister Jin said, "If necessary, I will provide such explanations to the opposition party as well. There should be no bias in such matters."

Han Byung-do, a Democratic Party member, emphasized that blocking the National Foundation Day rally led to quarantine achievements. Han said, "After the Liberation Day rally, confirmed cases surged rapidly, causing much suffering to the people. The government's basic duty is to prevent such incidents from happening again on National Foundation Day." He added, "Fortunately, there seems to be no COVID-19 resurgence as much as feared after National Foundation Day and Chuseok," and "The police response this time was effective."

Minister Jin stated, "From the perspective of COVID-19 quarantine, gatherings are prohibited, and police forces are mobilized within that scope to suppress them."

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