Barriers and Fences Surrounding Gwanghwamun in Seoul for 'Gwangbokjeol Rally'... Police Completely Block Gathering

Advance Notice of Non-Stop Subway Passage
Flexible Operation of 49 Bus Routes

On the 14th, the police set up barricades on the road near Gwanghwamun.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] On the first day of the Liberation Day holiday on the 14th, the downtown area around Gwanghwamun in Seoul, where conservative and progressive groups' rallies and events were scheduled, was blocked by vehicle barriers and fences, with police officers deployed throughout, creating a tense atmosphere.

The police strengthened their vigilance by conducting inspections on vehicles and citizens passing through the downtown area to prevent participants from gathering at the source. Fixed fences were installed at crosswalks between City Hall and Gwanghwamun, and police buses were parked there. Dense vehicle barriers were erected around Gwanghwamun, where the People’s Revolutionary Party had announced a press conference.

The People’s Revolutionary Party started the "Moon Jae-in Impeachment 8·15 10 Million One-Person Walking Movement," which began at 6 a.m. from Seoul Station and toured the Gwanghwamun area, and had a scuffle with the police.

On the morning of the first day of the Liberation Day holiday, the 14th, as announced, a conservative group's 'one-person walking movement event' began in downtown Seoul but was blocked by the police's complete blockade.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Seoul Metro announced that on this day, subway trains might pass without stopping at major stations located in downtown Seoul, such as Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), and Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3).

Seoul City also announced that from 9 a.m. on this day, 49 bus routes operating through downtown streets such as Cheongwadae-ro, Sejong-daero, Saemunan-ro, and Eulji-ro would operate flexibly and be temporarily rerouted due to on-site control. Some roads, including Yulgok-ro, Jahamun-ro, and Sejong-daero, were also partially blocked.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will operate temporary shuttle buses from this day until the 15th to alleviate citizen inconvenience. The police plan to use up to 186 units and available equipment to the fullest extent to suppress and block illegal assemblies from the gathering stage and strictly punish participants after dispersal.

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