Gatherings of up to 499 People Allowed... Police Mobilize Full On-Site Response

Easing of Capacity Limits with 'With Corona'
Increase in Urban Rally Reports from Labor Groups
Police Inspect Compliance with Quarantine Rules

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 assembly rights severely restricted by quarantine measures. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] With the implementation of 'With Corona,' urban rallies in the Seoul metropolitan area that had disappeared have returned. Since gatherings of up to fewer than 500 people, including vaccinated individuals, are now allowed, it is expected that labor and civic society rallies will increase further in the future.

According to the police, a total of 26 rallies and demonstrations were reported across Seoul on the 1st, with 2,044 participants registered. Following the implementation of the new Level 4 social distancing measures in the metropolitan area on July 12, urban rallies had disappeared except for solo protests and press conferences, but they have resumed after four months. Restrictions on rallies in central Seoul areas such as Gwanghwamun and Seoul City Hall Plaza, where rallies had been banned, have also been lifted in accordance with the phased recovery of daily life. On this day, the number of participants reported ranged from as few as 2 to the maximum allowed 499.

The organizers were mainly concentrated in the labor sector. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) reported a rally of 99 people calling for the abolition of irregular employment in front of the Yeouido 63 Building from 11:30 a.m. for about an hour. The Seoul Construction Branch of the National Construction Workers' Union under the KCTU planned to hold a rally with 499 participants at seven construction sites in the Mapo District. Civic groups also continued to report rallies. The progressive group 'Chotbul Jeonjin' reported a rally in Sejongno in the morning to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the candlelight protests and to call for reform of the prosecution and media, while the conservative group 'Bisang Siguk Gukmin Hoeui' reported a rally in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in the afternoon to demand the resignation of the Prosecutor General. Most of the reported participants for rallies were 99 people, who could attend regardless of vaccination status, but four cases reported over 100 participants.

In Phase 1 of the phased recovery of daily life, various events and rallies are allowed for up to fewer than 100 people regardless of vaccination status. If composed only of fully vaccinated individuals, gatherings of fewer than 500 people are permitted. In this case, the rally organizers must verify the vaccination status or negative test certificates of participants.

The police plan to focus all efforts on managing the sites, including compliance with quarantine rules. While guaranteeing peaceful rallies and demonstrations, for gatherings exceeding 100 people, they will inspect compliance with quarantine rules together with local governments and quarantine authorities. A police agency official said, "We will guarantee the freedom of assembly and demonstration as much as possible, but we will inspect to ensure that quarantine rules are followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19," adding, "If any illegal activities are confirmed, we will respond strictly."

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