Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency Announces Weekend Enforcement, Chairs 'Minjung General Strike' Countermeasure Meeting

"Strict Legal Action for Forcible Illegal Assemblies... Executive Committee to Pursue Until the End"

Representatives of the National People's Action, composed of workers, farmers, and the underprivileged including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press conference on the 12th in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the successful organization of the People's General Uprising. They plan to hold a large-scale "People's General Uprising" in downtown Seoul on the 15th, demanding the eradication of inequality and the entrenched two-party system, as well as the guarantee of freedom of assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the 15th, a large-scale mass rally is scheduled in downtown Seoul, and Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong will preside over a countermeasure meeting to discuss on-site response plans.

The National Police Agency announced that on the 14th at 3 p.m., a situation check and countermeasure meeting related to the mass rally will be held, chaired by Commissioner Kim.

The police are currently seeing 3,000 to 4,000 new daily COVID-19 cases, with the Omicron variant spreading rapidly. They believe that if the large-scale rally proceeds, it could become a trigger for the spread of infectious diseases, and thus plan to respond strictly.

A National Police Agency official stated, "During this critical time when the government's emergency measures to strengthen quarantine are in effect, there is serious concern about the spread of COVID-19 due to many rally participants coming to the capital from across the country. If the rally is forcibly held in violation of quarantine rules despite the ban, we will strictly respond according to law and principles, including proceeding with dispersal procedures."

The police added that they have formed a dedicated investigation team for illegal acts to conduct swift and strict investigations, and will pursue legal action against the executive members who repeatedly lead illegal activities until the end.

The National Police Agency requested, "We ask the organizers to voluntarily withdraw their plans to forcibly hold the illegal rally now, so that the community quarantine system, which the entire nation has struggled to protect with one heart, will not be put in a critical situation."

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