06 Oct 2020 | 02:45 AM UTC
South Korea: Rallies scheduled to take place in Seoul on October 9
Rallies scheduled in Seoul to coincide with Hangul Day on October 9; avoid all rallies as a precaution
Event
Several rallies are scheduled to take place in Seoul on Friday, October 9, in commemoration of Hangul Day. Several civic groups are due to gather at Gwanghwamun Square, despite the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restriction in place which bans all unauthorized gatherings which are above the 10-person limit. Hangul Day is a national Korean commemorative day marking the invention and the proclamation of Hangul, the alphabet of the Korean language, by the 15th-century Korean monarch Sejong the Great. Clashes between participants and local police forces cannot be ruled out due to police enforcing COVID-19 restrictions. During previous rallies in Seoul on Saturday, October 3, police established checkpoints and deployed roadblocks to prevent similar gatherings.
A heightened security presence and localized travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the rallies.
Advice
Those in Seoul are advised to monitor developments, anticipate travel and business disruptions on Saturday, avoid demonstrations and other gatherings, and heed any directives issued by local authorities.
