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| Police buses are parked in lines on streets around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Oct. 3, in a bid to prevent illegal rallies on National Foundation Day. Yonhap |
Police stepped up their guard Saturday to prevent conservative activists from holding illegal rallies in central Seoul amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Several conservative groups planned rallies on the Oct.3 National Foundation Day to protest the liberal government's policies despite the administrations strong warnings amid a resurgence in the coronavirus pandemic.
Officers said they set up inspection points in 90 locations connecting to central Seoul and were checking vehicles entering the area
Police buses were parked in lines on the main streets linking Gwanghwamun and City Hall in central Seoul; while subway trains were not stopping at nearby stations.
Police also set up fences in Gwanghwamun Square where outdoor rallies are often held.
Some conservative groups are known to have plans to push for a press conference or one-person rallies in the public plaza.
Two separate groups plan to hold drive-thru rallies in southern Seoul as a local court approved such demonstrations involving less than 10 cars under strict anti-infection measures.
The government has issued warnings against illegal anti-government rallies planned by some conservative groups on concerns that the mass gatherings could hamper the country's efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Thousands of people, led by conservative groups, held a massive rally Aug. 15, the country's Liberation Day, in central Seoul. The protests have been partly blamed for the resurgence in COVID-19 since mid-August, with cases tied to the rallies reaching more than 600.
The country's daily infections spiked to triple-digit figures for more than a month from Aug. 14, until they slowed down on the back of tougher virus prevention measures.
The Seoul city government has banned all rallies of 10 or more people and designated parts of the city center as no-assembly zones. It also banned rallies in the form of car parades.
Under the Level 2 social distancing rules imposed on a nationwide level, outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people are prohibited and indoor meetings of 50 or more are also banned. (Yonhap)
