Tension Mounts in Gwanghwamun Ahead of Large-Scale KCTU Rally... Another Appearance of Vehicle Barricades

Police Operate Temporary Checkpoints and Plan to Block Pre-Gathering
Nearby Merchants Express Anxiety and Complaints

On the 13th, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced a rally in downtown Seoul, the police controlled the Gwanghwamun street with barricades.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] As the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced a large-scale 'National Workers' Rally' in downtown Seoul on the 13th, tensions are rising with the police setting up barricades and operating temporary checkpoints.

According to the police, the KCTU previously reported that they would hold the National Workers' Rally in the Gwanghwamun area on that day, divided into 20 groups spaced 70 meters apart with 499 people each. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the police viewed it as a single assembly and issued a ban notice, but the KCTU is expected to proceed with the rally.

During the general strike on the 20th of last month, when the KCTU was blocked from gathering in Gwanghwamun, they held a surprise rally around the Seodaemun Station intersection outside the blockade line.

Nearby merchants are also on edge. After the phased return to normal life (With Corona) was implemented, sales had barely begun to recover, but there are concerns that the weekend 'peak season' might be lost. A restaurant owner operating in the Bukchang-dong food street said, "It's obviously uncomfortable because it's noisy and the police are standing around," adding, "With quarantine issues and traffic congestion, people avoid the area, so customer visits have sharply dropped." Complaints about weekend rallies continuing after With Corona were also voiced. Mr. Lee, who runs a cafe in Mugyo-dong, sighed, "On Saturdays, it's so crowded with people that I can't do business at all."

On the 13th, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced a rally in downtown Seoul, the police controlled the Gwanghwamun street. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The National Police Agency held a countermeasure meeting the previous morning and announced plans to utilize police units and available equipment nationwide to the fullest extent to completely block any illegal rallies that proceed despite the ban.

Temporary checkpoints will be operated mainly in the downtown and Yeouido areas to block tourist buses, broadcasting, and stage vehicles intended for the banned rallies. If illegal rallies violating quarantine rules are held by suddenly gathering outside the blockade line, dispersal procedures will be carried out according to the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. If collective violent acts such as assaulting police officers or damaging facilities occur, strict measures will be taken with on-site arrests as a principle.

Depending on the rally situation, traffic control measures such as non-stop passage of subways or route buses passing through Sajik-ro and Sejong-daero in the downtown area, and Gukhoe-daero and Yeoui-daero in the Yeouido area, as well as vehicle detours, may be implemented. The police will conduct announcement broadcasts to minimize inconvenience to citizens and operate traffic control to the minimum necessary extent.

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