Although unregistered mass gatherings and evening rallies are illegal, Government and Home Affairs Minister Huh Sung-kwan said that Tuesday night's rally denouncing the impeachment of President Roh Mu-hyun would not be deemed illegal as protestors have termed it a cultural event. Huh said in a phone interview with KBS radio that the candlelit rallies that memorialized two deceased junior high school girls was recognized as legal and required no preliminary registration. Huh said that in accordance with this precedent, he would allow the candlelit rally on Tuesday.
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Police surround participants at candlelit rally denouncing the impeachment of President Roh in front of the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, on Monday evening.
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Huh¡¯s announcement contradicts an earlier announcement by the police earlier that defined the candlelit rally as illegal. On Monday, the police said that it lawfully allowed the mass gathering for the two girls before, however, the rally today denouncing the impeachment does not fall into the same category.
Huh said that since the protests include the elderly and children, supervising the rally is difficult. He added that setting a tight blockade or forcing the crowd to disperse could create a dangerous situation for the public.
If the rally is accompanied by election campaigning, violence, or any illegal action, Huh said that he would take legal measures to punish the offenders. In another interview with a local broadcaster, Huh said that since the police force has experience managing mass protests in the past, they would be able to deal with the situation wisely.
(Ahn Seok-bae, sbahn@chosun.com )
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