With Corona, KCTU and Civic Groups Say "Gathering Size Restrictions Are Unfair"

The Public Authority Monitoring Response Team, the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and representatives from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 29th, when the government’s announcement of the 'Phased Daily Recovery' measures was scheduled, urging the restoration of the right to assemble, which has been severely restricted by quarantine measures. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] According to the phased daily recovery measures, the maximum number of participants allowed in gatherings will be up to 499 people, but civic groups criticized this by saying, "The restriction on the number of participants itself is the problem."

The 'Public Authority Monitoring Response Team,' formed by human rights and civic groups such as People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, and the Human Rights Movement Love Room, held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall on the 29th and raised their voices of criticism against the government policy announced that day.

The government allowed gatherings and events to have up to 99 participants regardless of vaccination status starting from the 1st of next month. When only fully vaccinated individuals, PCR test negative confirmed persons, and those under 18 participate, up to 499 people are allowed.

For gatherings with 100 or more fully vaccinated participants, the organizer must verify the vaccination status of all attendees and prevent anyone who is not fully vaccinated from participating.

The Public Authority Monitoring Response Team argued, "Why must the number of participants still be limited when the risk of infection spread at gatherings is extremely low?" and stated, "If quarantine rules are followed, gatherings can be conducted safely."

They reported that except for confirmed cases related to last year's Sarang Jeil Church gathering and the August 15 Liberation Day Gwanghwamun gathering, only seven confirmed cases have occurred at other gatherings.

They submitted an opinion letter containing these points to Seoul City, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and the Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH).

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