Although Quarantine Guidelines Are Followed, Concerns Over Cluster Infections from Gatherings Remain

Preview of Nationwide People's Rally This Saturday
Jung Sye-kyun "Requesting Reconsideration Even Now"
Police "Will Strictly Manage the Assembly"

On the 14th of last month, Kim Jae-ha, Emergency Measures Committee Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is speaking at the press conference for the launch of the 2020 National People's Rally Preparatory Committee held in the auditorium of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] As labor and civic groups plan to hold a 'National People's Rally' this Saturday (14th), concerns are rising that a cluster infection might occur, similar to the surge in COVID-19 cases during the August 15 Liberation Day rally.

On the 13th, labor and popular organizations including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced they are preparing a people's rally with a scale of 100,000 participants across 13 regions nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju. In Seoul, they plan to hold preliminary gatherings with no more than 99 people at 30 locations such as the Democratic Party office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Gongdeok Station in Mapo-gu, and Jeon Tae-il Bridge in Jongno-gu, followed by a main rally at Yeouido Park with 99 participants.

Although they intend to comply with the quarantine guideline of 'no gatherings over 100 people,' the risk of COVID-19 infection remains. It is difficult to precisely control the number of people gathering on-site, and the large number of participants simultaneously using restaurants, cafes, and public transportation could increase the risk of infection. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged, "In a situation where infections have occurred in multiple regions, simultaneous rallies can easily become a catalyst for large-scale spread," and requested that the organizations reconsider holding the rally, prioritizing the lives and safety of the people.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official explained the reason for permitting this people's rally, unlike the August 15 Liberation Day rally which was banned in the city center, saying, "At that time, social distancing level 2 was in effect, but currently level 1 is applied. The nature of this rally is also different," and added, "We plan to deploy personnel to thoroughly manage the rally." The police asked citizens to use public transportation such as the subway or to detour around the affected sections, as traffic congestion is expected on major roads in central Seoul including Euljiro, Jahamun-ro, and Yeouidaero in the Yeouido area.

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