Despite 'Record High' New COVID-19 Cases... Gatherings Erupt Across Downtown Areas

Police Estimate Over 1,300 Gathered
Additional COVID-19 Spread Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] A large-scale prayer meeting was held in downtown Seoul, raising concerns about a 'resurgence of COVID-19.'

The People’s Revolutionary Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held a large-scale prayer meeting in downtown Seoul the previous day. Unlike an election campaign format, the event was reported as a rally, and the police attempted to manage the site with restrictions on the number of attendees, but the organizers did not comply.

The People’s Revolutionary Party held the "10 Million Freedom Unification Prayer Meeting" around noon in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu.

They initially reported the rally for about 3,000 people but received a ban notice from the police and Seoul city, limiting attendance to a maximum of 299. However, approximately 1,300 people (estimated by the police) gathered at the site, far exceeding the limit.

Pastor Jeon arrived at the site around 1:50 p.m. and said, "It is not over just because we made President Yoon Seok-yeol. We declare another war to become the third leader following Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee," adding, "The entire nation will launch a 10 million signature campaign to realize this."

The police issued dispersal orders four times, stating, "We are collecting evidence for violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Assembly and Demonstration Act," but the participants did not comply. However, there were no physical clashes such as scuffles.

Several other rallies also took place across the city. About 30 members of the Anti-American Struggle Headquarters held a rally in front of the U.S. Embassy in Jongno-gu that morning, demanding "the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the conclusion of a peace agreement, and the termination of the Korea-U.S. alliance."

About 80 Ukrainians residing in Korea gathered near the Russian Embassy in Jung-gu to condemn Russia and call for an end to the war.

Meanwhile, as large numbers of people gathered throughout the city, the number of new COVID-19 cases is expected to increase further.

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