[2020 National Audit] "Legitimate Measures for Quarantine" vs "Excessive Response"... Heated Debate over 'Gaecheonjeol Roadblocks' (Comprehensive)

National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee Police Agency Audit
Conflict Between COVID-19 Quarantine Measures and Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's National Police Agency audit held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the 8th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju, Intern Reporter Song Seung-seop] On the 8th, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency, a sharp dispute arose over the police's lockdown of downtown Seoul on Gaecheonjeol and the installation of barricades on Hangeul Day.

The opposition party focused on highlighting the police's "excessive response," while the ruling party countered that the police were performing their rightful duties amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Opposition: "1970s-style checkpoints, clear excessive response"... Also raises issue of political neutrality

The opposition took the offensive first. Opposition lawmakers repeatedly pointed out that the police's installation of barricades was an excessive response restricting the freedom of assembly and demonstration. Seo Beom-su, a member of the People Power Party, said, "For the Gaecheonjeol barricade installation at Gwanghwamun, 537 police buses were mobilized and 187 companies were deployed. They pulled in all the officers they could," criticizing, "If the barricades are said to pose a low infection risk, then only vehicles should have been sent, so why were officers deployed? That is why the controversy over excessive response arises."

He added, "No one would oppose the government doing its utmost to protect the health and lives of the people," but said, "While blocking is necessary, they should have considered ways to do it harmoniously."

Another member of the same party, Lee Myung-soo, said, "There are various ways to respond to illegal assemblies," and added, "While I acknowledge the principled response, the police chief should consider multiple factors comprehensively." He requested, "In principle, barricade installation should be avoided," and warned, "The barricade installation could become a bigger news story on Hangeul Day. Please reconsider."

The opposition went further to raise the issue of the police's "political neutrality." Kim Yong-pan, from the same party, said, "The police chief said that blocking illegal assemblies was nothing more or less than that, but this excessive total lockdown and 1970s-style checkpoints have gone far beyond the limit," sharply criticizing, "No one can deny that this was not done under police authority alone but under Blue House directives." He continued, "Because the police are vulnerable to power, if investigative authority is given to the police, they become a political police and vulnerable to power, which is why such criticism arises."

Another member of the same party, Kwon Young-se, pointed out that the personnel composition of the Police Commission, which deliberates and decides on police security administration, is biased toward the current government. Kwon said, "Efforts to block connections with the regime are needed, including for the National Investigation Headquarters."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ruling Party: "A necessary measure to prevent infectious disease spread"... Calls for minimizing citizen inconvenience

Conversely, the ruling party repeatedly emphasized that the police barricade installation was a legitimate and unavoidable measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Lee Hyung-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "As seen in the August 15 rallies, if infectious diseases spread through assemblies during the critical COVID-19 situation, the economic and social costs will be enormous," urging, "I ask the police chief to respond firmly," emphasizing the legitimacy of the barricade installation.

Park Wan-joo, from the same party, said, "We are currently at war with COVID-19 nationwide and worldwide," adding, "The freedom of assembly and demonstration must be protected, and protecting the people's right to life is also a duty."

However, ruling party lawmakers urged the preparation of measures to minimize inconvenience to ordinary citizens unrelated to the assemblies. Oh Young-hoon, from the same party, said, "Thank you for blocking the Gaecheonjeol rallies," but pointed out, "We must not cause inconvenience to citizens' passage, so I think the level should be adjusted to prevent rallies on Hangeul Day."

Yang Ki-dae, also from the same party, said, "I think barricades will be installed on Hangeul Day as well, and various measures will be prepared," adding, "The barricade controversy is not the essence; infection prevention is. Please keep in mind that there will still be demands for freedom of assembly until the end."

Lim Ho-seon, from the same party, also mentioned, "Without prior information such as how many charter buses were mobilized, controversy over excessive response is inevitable," stating, "Advance information activities must be conducted for security measures to be established." He added, "Barricades are the last safety line for quarantine, so please continue your efforts."

The police plan to take preemptive blocking measures such as installing barricades at Gwanghwamun on Hangeul Day as conservative groups have also announced rallies. Considering citizen inconvenience, they are reportedly planning to ease the level of barricade operation and consider shuttle bus operations.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, said, "We will restrict barricades only to the unavoidable extent to prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by illegal assemblies, and we will take all measures to ensure there is no inconvenience or difficulty in residents' passage."

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