Police Review Legal Grounds for Violation of Assembly Act in 'Son Jeongmin Memorial Rally'

by Lee Jungyun

Published 18 May.2021 12:32(KST)

On the 16th, when rain fell nationwide, participants at the "Peace Rally for the Late Son Jeong-min" held near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul urged for a thorough investigation of the incident while holding umbrellas. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The police are examining whether there were any legal violations related to the memorial rally and march for Son Jeong-min (22) held last weekend in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

According to the police on the 18th, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul is reviewing whether the rally held on the afternoon of the 16th at Banpo Hangang Park and in front of the Seocho Police Station, as well as the march between these locations, violated the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

Hundreds of citizens held placards with phrases such as "Prompt, Fair, and Accurate Investigation Urged" at Hangang Park around 2 p.m. on the 16th, shouting slogans like "Reveal the Truth Behind the Death." Some of them began marching toward the Seocho Police Station around 3 p.m., held a rally across from the police station, and voluntarily dispersed around 5 p.m. after the police broadcast a dispersal request.

The rally and march were not reported to the police. According to the Assembly and Demonstration Act, to hold an outdoor assembly (demonstration or march), a notification must be submitted to the head of the competent police station at least 48 hours (2 days) and up to 720 hours (30 days) before the start of the assembly.

However, unlike general assemblies, it is known that the police are deliberating on the application of the law because it is difficult to identify the organizer of this rally. Most participants voluntarily gathered through online mom cafes and KakaoTalk open chat rooms. Under the Assembly and Demonstration Act, failure to report can result in punishment for the organizer, but there are no penalties for simple participants. However, Article 20 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act stipulates that if participants do not promptly disperse after receiving a police dispersal order for an unreported assembly, they can be punished.

Accordingly, the police are reportedly reviewing whether the violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act can be applied to the part where some rally participants broke through the police line after a scuffle while marching from Hangang Park to the Seocho Police Station and continued the march. The police also plan to start an investigation if Seoul City or Seocho-gu requests an investigation or files a complaint against the rally participants for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.