Police to Appeal Partial Approval of Protest in Front of Yongsan Presidential Office Building

by Kong Byeongseon

Published 12 May.2022 14:32(KST)

On the 9th, one day before the presidential inauguration, preparations are in full swing at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, which will be used as the presidential office. President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is scheduled to begin work on the 10th at the office relocated to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan. Photo by Transition Team Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The police have decided to appeal the court's ruling partially allowing assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the Yongsan Presidential Office.

According to the police on the 12th, they will seek a higher court's judgment regarding the suspension of the enforcement of the outdoor assembly ban cancellation order, which the Seoul Administrative Court partially accepted the day before. The Yongsan Police Station plans to announce an official position within the day.

The police's reason for the appeal is concern that assemblies and demonstrations in front of the Presidential Office could become excessive. The court also stated the previous day, "If marches are allowed without restrictions, unexpected confusion may occur in traffic control and security near the Presidential Office and the Ministry of National Defense." Accordingly, the court ordered that the march by the civic group Rainbow Action Against Sexual Minority Discrimination must pass swiftly in front of the Yongsan Office within 1 hour and 30 minutes, limited to one time.

Earlier, Rainbow Action had reported an assembly to march from Yongsan Station Plaza to Itaewon Plaza on the 14th, but the Yongsan Police Station denied permission. The police cited Article 11 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, which prohibits outdoor assemblies within 100 meters of the President's residence. In response, Rainbow Action filed an administrative lawsuit against the chief of the Seoul Yongsan Police Station.

Going forward, after the appeal, the police are expected to manage Rainbow Action's assemblies and marches like general assemblies. Additionally, for other assembly reports that the court has not yet ruled on, judgments will be made on a case-by-case basis, and the policy of prohibiting assemblies within 100 meters of the Presidential Office is expected to be maintained until the main lawsuit results are announced.