What will be interesting to see is if there is a coronavirus spike will the Moon administration blame the conservatives or the KCTU?:
Seoul police said Friday they will sternly respond to any illegal activities during rallies scheduled for this weekend amid rising concerns over possible spread of the new coronavirus.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and its affiliate groups plan to organize gatherings across 30 locations in Seoul, including the wards of Yeongdeungpo, Mapo and Seocho, on Saturday afternoon, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.
KCTU will also stage a separate demonstration at Yeouido Park in central Seoul.
Regular weekly anti-government rallies by conservative groups are also scheduled to be held in Seoul’s central ward of Jongno and Seocho Ward in Seoul’s southern area on Saturday afternoon.
According to police, a total of 78 outdoor rallies were scheduled to be held Saturday.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link, but the government lifted its bans on rallies and groups can organize with 100 people or less.
I have always said that the Korean police can remove these protesters any time they wanted, the ROK government just chooses not to until recently:
The defense ministry on Thursday brought non-weapon materials and construction equipment onto a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in central South Korea after riot police dispersed protesters opposed to the deployment of the American anti-missile defense system.
The shipments transported into the base for the THAAD system in the central town of Seongju, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, included daily necessities for base troops and construction equipment and materials to be used to improve their living facilities, according to the ministry.
Their transportation was completed after riot police dispersed about 70 Seongju residents and civic activists, who had occupied a small bridge leading to the THAAD base from early morning to block any vehicles from approaching the military facility.
The protesters tied themselves up into ladder-like structures installed on the bridge to resist the police and shouted various slogans against THAAD.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link.
The Democratic Party of Korea appears to really be enjoying the crackdown on their conservative critics:
Lee Nak-yon, the head of the ruling Democratic Party, said in a Facebook post Saturday that the police should work to prevent rallies planned for Hangeul Day, which falls Oct. 9. He thanked law enforcement for almost perfectly preventing illegal protests on Oct. 3.
“We are somewhat relieved at the moment, but some organizations have announced plans for more rallies on Hangeul Day,” Lee wrote, adding that preventing mass gatherings will help the country stay clear of the virus and shore up its struggling economy.
“Whatever the reason may be, illegal gatherings and deterring virus control measures are by no means acceptable. I hope the police do the same and block illegal rallies on Hangeul Day while preventing potential danger.”
Korea Herald
You can read more at the link, but it is clear they plan to use the coronavirus as an excuse to stop anti-government rallies for as long as possible.
