Police set up 'bus walls' to prevent massive rallies on Hangeul Day over virus concerns
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- Police mobilized hundreds of buses Friday to cordon off Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and nearby areas to prevent illegal large-scale rallies amid concerns over the new coronavirus.
Conservative civic groups had planned to hold protests against the government at the square on the national Hangeul Day holiday, but a court issued a ban, citing concerns that such gatherings could spread COVID-19.
The government has taken a hard-line stance against public rallies after anti-government protests on Aug. 15 were partly blamed for a flare-up in new virus cases in South Korea. Under the government's anti-virus guidelines currently in place, outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.
Activists instead held small-scale protests and press conferences in downtown Seoul on Friday, and some conservatives are to stage "drive-thru" anti-government rallies in southern Seoul later in the day. Around 11,000 police officers are on duty to manage the situation, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
On Friday, South Korea reported 54 new COVID-19 cases, including 38 local infections, and the country's total caseload stood at 24,476, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Police buses are parked in lines on streets around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Oct. 9, 2020, in a bid to prevent illegal rallies. (Yonhap)

Police officers stand in line to prevent protesters' possible access to Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Oct. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
(URGENT) Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for possible evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
N. Korea fires what it claims to be 'space launch vehicle' southward: S. Korean military
-
Flights from typhoon-hit Guam to S. Korea to resume Monday: ministry
-
Fifty Fifty chart on Billboard Hot 100 for 10th week with 'Cupid'
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
(URGENT) Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
S. Korea slams N. Korea's planned satellite launch, warns of consequences
-
N. Korea fires what it claims to be 'space launch vehicle' southward: S. Korean military
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
Nat'l team baseball players apologize for drinking during WBC in Tokyo
-
Suspect in grisly Busan murder sent to prosecutors for further probe
-
(2nd LD) Election watchdog refuses state auditor's inspection into nepotism suspicions
-
Napoli's Kim Min-jae named Serie A's best defender, makes Team of the Season