Court Rules "Protest Rally Against Kim Myeong-su in Front of Supreme Court Must Be Allowed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] A court ruling has allowed a rally condemning Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. This decision effectively restrains the police action that had completely banned the related rally.

On the 16th, the Administrative 11th Division of the Seoul Administrative Court (Presiding Judge Park Hyung-soon) partially accepted the suspension of execution request filed by a member of the Free Solidarity against the ban on the rally in front of the Supreme Court, targeting the Seocho Police Station Chief.

The court deemed the police's complete ban on the rally to be unjust and allowed the Free Solidarity to hold a rally with up to nine participants within 20 meters on the left and right sidewalks in front of the Supreme Court until next month’s 3rd. However, the court imposed a condition to suspend the rally if social distancing is raised to level 3 due to a severe spread of COVID-19.

This court decision will remain effective only until the main ruling of the administrative lawsuit filed by the Free Solidarity against the Seocho Police Station is issued. The court stated, "Considering the purpose and method of this rally, it is difficult to view it as a rally related to a specific case trial or targeting the judicial activities of judges."

Previously, the Free Solidarity reported to the police their intention to hold a rally condemning Chief Justice Kim’s violation of political neutrality and false explanations, and to display condolence wreaths, but after receiving a complete ban order, they filed an administrative lawsuit and requested suspension of execution. At that time, the police explained the ban by stating, "Under the Assembly and Demonstration Act, rallies within 100 meters of a court are prohibited, and holding a rally condemning the Chief Justice in front of the Supreme Court may affect the independence of judges in their official duties."

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