Police: "Traffic Congestion Expected in Downtown on Gwangbokjeol... Strict Response to Illegal Gatherings" (Comprehensive)

People's Revolutionary Party Announces Large-Scale Rallies from 14th to 16th
Temporary Checkpoints Operated to Block Protest Equipment
Traffic Controls Including No-Stop Subway and Bus Services
"Dispersal Procedures for Sudden Gatherings"

On the morning of the 10th, Lee Dong-woo, Secretary General of the National Revolutionary Party, is speaking at the press conference for the 'August 15 Ten Million Citizens One-Person Walking Contest' held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have announced plans for temporary checkpoints and traffic control measures around the time of Liberation Day, when large-scale urban rallies are expected.

On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "From the 14th to the 16th, temporary checkpoints will be operated mainly in the downtown area. On August 15th, Liberation Day, the operation will be expanded to include Han River bridges and Seoul city boundary access roads to block the entry of vehicles attending rallies, broadcasting and stage vehicles, and various protest supplies."

They added, "Depending on the rally situation during the holiday period, traffic control measures such as non-stop passage of route buses passing through Jongno, Sajik-ro, Sejong-daero, and bus route detours will be implemented."

The police advised that since traffic inconvenience is expected on major roads in Seoul due to the traffic control, the public should use public transportation such as the subway, and if vehicle operation is unavoidable, they should detour congested sections and comply with traffic police hand signals.

Detailed traffic information during rally hours can be checked through the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency traffic information hotline (02-700-5000), the Traffic Information Center website (www.spatic.go.kr), and KakaoTalk Seoul Police Traffic Information.

The People’s Revolutionary Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, has announced a large-scale rally passing through downtown areas such as Seoul Station, City Hall, Donghwa Duty Free Shop, and Sejong Center from 6 a.m. on the 14th until the 16th.

The police plan to actively suppress and block illegal rallies and events from the gathering stage by utilizing all available personnel and equipment. In case of sudden gatherings, they will proceed with dispersal procedures according to relevant laws such as the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act in cooperation with quarantine authorities. Furthermore, organizers who forcibly hold illegal rallies will face strict legal action.

In a statement released on the same day, the police agency said, "This is a time when public concern about the fourth wave of infectious diseases is high due to the spread of the COVID-19 variant virus," and urged groups planning rallies to voluntarily withdraw their illegal rally and event plans.

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