Song Young-gil: "The August 15 Gwanghwamun Rally Must Be Strictly Blocked, Whether by Minnochoeng or Right-Wing Groups"

August 15 Rally Announced by People’s Revolutionary Party on the 2nd
Song Young-gil: "Holding a Large-Scale Rally Is a Direct Challenge to the People"
Opposition: "Worried About Urban Protest Movements... Is the Mild Response by Minnocho Giving Protest Justification?"
Police: "Plan to Strictly Enforce Legal Action"

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the large-scale Liberation Day rally announced for the 15th by the People’s Revolutionary Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, stating, "Regardless of whether it is the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions or right-wing groups, any violation of quarantine guidelines through rallies must be strictly blocked."

On the 4th, during the Democratic Party’s Supreme Council meeting, Song Young-gil said, "Far-right groups, including Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, who triggered the third wave of COVID-19 last year, are reportedly pushing forward with the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally this year," and criticized, "Small business owners, self-employed individuals, the public, and medical staff are all enduring inconvenience and hardship to overcome this crisis, so holding a large-scale rally is a direct challenge to the people."

He added, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government and police authorities must use all means to completely block and prevent the rally."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 2nd, the People’s Revolutionary Party held a press conference stating, "We will break through all oppression and suppression to successfully hold the August 15 National Rally for the impeachment of the Moon Jae-in administration." They strongly criticized the Moon Jae-in government and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, claiming that the government’s Level 4 social distancing measures are suppressing freedom of assembly and religious freedom.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party also urged the suspension of the rally in a spokesperson’s statement on the 3rd.

Shin In-kyu, the full-time deputy spokesperson, said, "The People’s Revolutionary Party publicly announced plans for urban protests, starting a civil disobedience movement against the Moon Jae-in administration’s political quarantine," and pointed out, "With COVID-19 cases stubbornly remaining in the four digits, Pastor Jeon’s insistence on urban protests is deeply concerning."

He continued, "Voices that undermine the efforts of the people devoted to the front lines of quarantine must be restrained," and criticized, "We need to reflect on whether the government’s lenient response to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions protests inadvertently gave Pastor Jeon a justification for his rally."

The police also announced they will respond strictly to the Liberation Day rally.

Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular briefing, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued quarantine guidelines and announced a ban on rallies scheduled for the 14th and 15th," adding, "If the rally is forcibly held, the planned locations will be blocked, and if the rally proceeds regardless, strict legal action will be taken."

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