<Anchor> In

order to prevent crowds from gathering, Seoul City decided not to allow large-scale gatherings on Liberation Day on the 15th. More than 20 organizations have offered to hold a rally this Saturday in downtown Seoul. Some of them plan to hold the assembly despite the announcement of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

For more details, this is Yoo Su-hwan.

<Reporter>

There were 26 organizations in total that announced the assembly on the 8/15 Liberation Day two days later.

It included several conservative groups and the KCTU.

The estimated number of participants is 220,000. There are various meeting places such as Gyeongbokgung Station, Euljiro 1-ga, Seocho-dong, and Anguk Station.

Recently, as group infections spread in Seoul, centering on religious facilities and Namdaemun Market, the Seoul Metropolitan Government imposed a total ban on Liberation Day urban gatherings.

[Park Yoo-mi/Seoul City Citizen Health Bureau Director: An administrative order has been taken for all organizations that have not officially canceled the assembly. I would like to remind you again that we plan to take all measures for the safety of citizens.]

Due to the nature of the Liberation Day rally, there are high concerns about regional spread as participants gather from all over the country.

Seven of the organizations that requested the cancellation of the city assembly, including conservative groups, are unwilling to enforce the assembly.

[Min Gyeong-wook / 4·15 Unjust Election National Struggle Headquarters Standing Representative: The ban on the 8·15 assembly is nothing but a curb on the right-wing citizens. It is our policy to enforce it.]

It means that we will follow the quarantine rules such as wearing a mask and proceed as scheduled.

The KCTU also chose to enforce the assembly.

The city of Seoul warned that it would take accusations not only to the organizers but also participants when the assembly was enforced.

If additional confirmed cases appear at the assembly, we will also claim the right to remedy.

(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok and Seo Jin-ho, Video editing: Park Jeong-sam)