Gatherings Across Downtown Seoul on National Foundation Day... Concluded Without Major Clashes

Published 03 Oct.2021 21:05(KST)

On October 3rd, National Foundation Day, gatherings are being permitted in front of Kyobo Bookstore in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The court partially suspended the Seoul Metropolitan Government's decision to completely ban gatherings during the National Foundation Day holiday and allowed gatherings with restrictions. /Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] On October 3rd, National Foundation Day, conservative groups held rallies and outdoor worship services in downtown Seoul. Although there were no major clashes, there were some scuffles between rally participants and the police.

That morning, an outdoor worship service by Sarang Jeil Church took place around Gwanghwamun. Nearby, worshippers gathered to attend the service were seen singing hymns or watching the worship scenes on their mobile phones. During this process, police officers managing the site demanded dispersal citing violations of quarantine rules, leading to verbal disputes with participants.

In front of the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun, a "Lecture on Urging the Suspension of Political Quarantine and Prevention of COVID-19 Infection" was held. About 50 people, the permitted number of participants, gathered at the rally hosted by Lee Dong-wook, former chairman of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association. However, as more people gathered afterward to join the rally, some scuffles occurred between participants and the police. In addition, sporadic rallies and protests continued throughout the afternoon in various parts of downtown Seoul.

Earlier, the Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 14 (Chief Judge Lee Sang-hoon) partially suspended the Seoul city government's complete ban on rallies during the National Foundation Day holiday and allowed limited rallies. Lee, the former chairman, had reported plans to hold rallies at two locations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the holiday period from October 2 to 4 but received a prohibition notice from Seoul city. After applying for a suspension of enforcement, he filed an administrative lawsuit. The court ruled that both rallies held during the holiday from October 2 to 4 should be allowed with attendance limited to no more than 50 people, including the organizers. The ban on rallies exceeding this number was maintained.