Court Conditionally Allows Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Rally on 13th... Attendance Limited to 1 Hour and 299 People

by Kim HyeongMin

Published 12 Apr.2022 18:11(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The court has permitted the Seoul downtown rally planned by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on the 13th under conditions limiting the number of participants and duration, and requiring adherence to social distancing guidelines.

The Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 5 (Presiding Judge Kim Sun-yeol) partially granted the KCTU's request for a suspension of execution (suspension of effect) against the Seoul mayor on the 12th.

This allows the KCTU to hold a rally on the 13th from 1 to 2 p.m. on one southbound lane near the Gyeongbokgung Palace National Palace Museum, with attendance limited to no more than 299 people including organizers.

Additionally, the court imposed conditions that the police or Seoul city must separate the rally area from other spaces using order maintenance lines and that attendees maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from each other.

Accordingly, rally participants must have their temperature checked and use hand sanitizer before entering the rally site, and must wear masks rated KF94 or higher.

The court stated, "The prohibition of the rally causes the applicant (KCTU) to lose the opportunity to hold the rally, resulting in irreparable harm," and added, "There is an urgent need to prevent this."

However, it explained the conditions by saying, "Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fully permitting the rally could significantly impact public welfare."

Previously, the KCTU had notified authorities of plans to hold rallies near the Presidential Transition Committee within the past month, but Seoul city only prohibited the rally on the 13th. In response, the KCTU applied for a suspension of execution to halt the effect of Seoul city's rally ban.