PM voices worries over drive-thru rally

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's prime minister said Thursday he is "worried" over a court decision to approve a drive-thru rally this weekend.

Chung Sye-kyun asked those who plan to hold the rally to abide by court guidelines meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"The government will respect (the rally) as long as they hold a legal rally set by the court and the risk of spreading COVID-19 won't be big," Chung said in a radio interview aired earlier in the day.

His comments came a day after the Seoul Administrative Court approved the drive-thru rally involving less than 10 vehicles in Seoul on National Foundation Day this Saturday.

The court allows nine people -- each in their cars -- to hold the rally for two hours, but they are banned from lowering their car windows or chanting slogans during the rally.

The participants are also required not to have any face-to-face meeting or contact before and after the rally in a move to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Chung warned that the government will disperse the rally and hold relevant people accountable if they fail to abide by the guidelines.

In August, tens of thousands of people held anti-government rallies in central Seoul, which health officials said are partly to blame for a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

South Korea's daily infections had spiked to triple digits after the massive rallies on Aug. 15 Liberation Day.

On Thursday, South Korea reported 77 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 23,889, with 415 deaths.

entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)