Police Ease Ban on Rallies in Front of Presidential Office... "Small-Scale Rallies Allowed in Front of War Memorial"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The police have decided to ease the ban on gatherings in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office.

On the 7th, the police stated, "Respecting the judiciary's decision, we plan to guarantee the holding of gatherings within the scope presented by the court, such as small-scale gatherings on the sidewalk in front of the War Memorial."

Previously, the police maintained a policy of banning gatherings within 100 meters in front of the Yongsan Office under Article 11 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Jipsibeop), interpreting that the presidential office includes the presidential residence. Until recently, the police had planned to ease the ban on gatherings near the office after reviewing the main lawsuit results. Civic groups that received the ban notice filed administrative lawsuits for suspension of execution at the Seoul Administrative Court.

The court judged that even considering the functions and safety of the presidential office and citizen inconvenience, it is difficult to view the office as included in the residence, and subsequently allowed some gatherings in front of the Yongsan office. On the 26th of last month, the Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 11 (Presiding Judge Kang Woo-chan) explained, "The police's ban and restriction orders in this case have a high possibility of being unconstitutional and illegal." The police's decision is interpreted to follow this court judgment.

Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk-yeol, on his way to the presidential office building that day, commented on the conservative group's protest in front of former President Moon Jae-in's residence, saying, "The presidential office is also a place where protests are permitted," and added, "It will be handled according to the law."

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