"Democracy Backslide" vs "Threat to the People": Hangul Day Rally Barricade Conflict

Democratic Party: "The Biggest Threat Is Far-Right Groups' Urban Rallies"
People Power Party: "Many Criticize Democracy Backsliding Due to Installation of Barricades"

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 Han Seung-gon] The government has sparked controversy by announcing plans to install "car barriers" (車壁) at the Hangul Day rallies expected to be held near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 9th. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is also considering operating subway trains without stopping at stations near Gwanghwamun.

While some argue that large-scale rallies with the risk of COVID-19 spread should be properly refrained from, others criticize that this excessively infringes on the constitutional rights to assembly and protest. A heated debate over this issue also occurred during the National Foundation Day rallies.

According to conservative groups on the 9th, a total of 1,220 rallies were reported in the Seoul area for Hangul Day as of the previous day (8th). All 70 reported rallies with more than 10 participants were banned. Additionally, 69 rallies with fewer than 10 participants were also prohibited. Two vehicle rallies were announced by the Patriotic Patrol Team and the Our Republican Party Seoul City Branch.

The ruling party emphasized that these measures are unavoidable for COVID-19 prevention. The Democratic Party of Korea demanded withdrawal at the National Assembly inspection countermeasures meeting on the 8th, stating, "COVID-19 prevention can collapse with a moment of negligence or loopholes," in response to some conservative groups' moves to proceed with the Hangul Day rallies.

Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said, "The greatest threat is the far-right groups' rallies in the city center," adding, "We cannot understand or tolerate the far-right groups' behavior of insisting on holding rallies that undermine the national quarantine system and threaten the people." He urged, "Reflect on the 'love for the people' spirit, which is the meaning of the creation of Hangul." He continued, "The car barriers at Gwanghwamun are the last safety line of quarantine to protect the lives and safety of the people," emphasizing, "Overcoming this crisis is necessary for economic recovery and the return to normal life."

On the morning of the 2nd, one day before National Foundation Day, police were on guard duty around Gwanghwamun Square where fences prohibiting gatherings were installed. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The opposition party immediately opposed the plan. Lee Myung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, said at the National Police Agency inspection on the same day, "There are several ways to respond to illegal rallies, but installing car barriers has drawn criticism as a regression of democracy," and argued, "Hangul Day is a proud day, so please reconsider. I believe car barrier installation should be avoided."

Choi Chun-sik, from the same party, criticized, "There were no illegal acts at the National Foundation Day rallies, so shouldn't the car barriers have been dismantled quickly? Even if car barriers are installed, inconvenience to residents and traffic congestion should have been minimized."

Seo Beom-su, also from the same party, pointed out, "The police used 537 vehicles to set up car barriers at Gwanghwamun Square on National Foundation Day," adding, "They mobilized officers nationwide and spent 200 million won to create police lines, which was an excessive response." He further stated, "While preventing the spread of COVID-19, efforts should have been made to guarantee citizens' constitutional rights to assembly and protest."

Police barricades installed around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 3rd, which was National Foundation Day [Image source=Yonhap News]

Citizens have shown mixed reactions. Kim, a company employee in his 30s working near Gwanghwamun in Seoul, said, "Freedom of assembly is important, but if COVID-19 spreads, lives are immediately at risk," emphasizing, "I think of it as a quarantine measure for infectious disease, not as authoritarian public power."

On the other hand, Lee, another office worker in his 20s, said, "I understand the COVID-19 quarantine measures, but I think the level of rally control is too excessive," pointing out, "If the response were more appropriate, such conflicts might not arise."

While the police announced plans to block rallies with car barriers on Hangul Day, the court rejected a suspension request filed by conservative groups asking to stop the ban on city center rallies.

The Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 1 (Judge Ahn Jong-hwa) dismissed the suspension request filed by the "8.15 Emergency Countermeasures Committee" against the Seoul Jongno Police Station and Seoul City on the 8th regarding the ban on outdoor rallies.

The court stated, "There could be serious difficulties in realizing the public interest of preventing COVID-19 infection and spread, which constitutes a clear threat to public order and safety."

Regarding concerns about COVID-19 spread, the court said, "With new COVID-19 cases continuously occurring, if 1,000 people from all over the country gather for a rally using public transportation, close contact is inevitably unavoidable," adding, "If infections occur through the rally, it will be seriously difficult to trace infection routes, and the spread seems obvious."

Meanwhile, Seoul City is considering 'source blocking' measures such as non-stop passage and entrance closures at four subway stations near Gwanghwamun, including City Hall Station, Gyeongbokgung Station, and Gwanghwamun Station. Park Yu-mi, Seoul City's quarantine controller, said the previous day, "If a rally is held, illegal rally organizers and participants will be prosecuted through thorough on-site evidence collection, and if confirmed cases occur, claims for damages will also be pursued."

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