Police to Provide Explanation in Main Lawsuit Over Court's Approval of Assembly Near Yongsan Office (Comprehensive)

On the 9th, one day before the inauguration of the 20th president, a commemorative banner for the launch of the new government was installed at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the presidential office will be located. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The police opposed the court's decision to partially allow assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the Yongsan office, but decided to clarify their position in the main lawsuit for now. The police maintained their stance that severe citizen inconvenience and issues related to the function and safety of the Presidential Office could arise.

On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency decided to clarify their position in the main lawsuit regarding the Seoul Administrative Court's ruling the previous day. Although there were some suggestions to file an appeal on the same day, the police decided to explain their position in the ongoing trial. Earlier, the Seoul Administrative Court conditionally accepted the suspension of execution request regarding the prohibition notice on the march by the civic group Rainbow Action Against Discrimination of Sexual Minorities (Mujigae Haengdong) issued by the Yongsan Police Station Chief.

The police stated, "If the assembly continues according to the intent of this decision, severe citizen inconvenience such as traffic congestion and noise in the surrounding urban area is expected," and added, "There are also concerns about the function and safety of the Presidential Office." Furthermore, they said, "The intent and fairness of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, which protects constitutional institutions such as the National Assembly and the Supreme Court, must also be considered," and added, "Since there was a lack of sufficient opportunity to clarify our position until the court's decision the previous day, we intend to seek the judiciary's judgment through the main lawsuit."

The police plan to guarantee the assembly by Mujigae Haengdong as per the court's decision for now. The police stated, "The assembly and march by Mujigae Haengdong will be managed within the scope permitted by the court." This means that the march in front of the Yongsan office by Mujigae Haengdong scheduled for the 14th will proceed as planned. However, demonstrations not yet judged by the court will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and until the main lawsuit's result is announced, the policy of prohibiting assemblies within 100 meters of the office is expected to be maintained.

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