Downtown commercial areas are deserted on weekends due to noisy rallies - South Korean reports

"Is it on the day of the rally? It's a complete failure. Sales have been cut in half." The rally held on every holiday has devastated the business areas in the city center.
The situation was particularly bad in Gwanghwamun. Local merchants who operate businesses in tourist-filled areas stretching from Gyeongbokgung Palace to Gwanghwamun Square, where the rally is held,
This has had a serious impact, with sales dropping on weekends and holidays. Park Myeong-ja (not her real name), who runs a convenience store in Gwanghwamun last weekend, said, "On the days when rallies are held,
"It's become commonplace for sales to plummet," he said, adding, "It seems like the snacks the police (who guard the rally venues) buy to take home are now amounting to about half of our holiday sales."
He spoke bitterly about the noise pollution at the rallies, saying, "At first, I reported it to the police many times, but now I don't report it because I realized they wouldn't do anything."
The situation is the same in Yongsan, where rallies have become a common sight since the relocation of the presidential office.
Joo Ji-yeong (48), who has been running the business for a long time, said, "When only the Ministry of National Defense was here (before the presidential office was relocated), it was quiet, and there were a few tourists (visiting museums, etc.)." He added, "Now, ordinary customers don't come.
"We have to be happy," he said. Moreover, the trash left behind by the protesters and the cigarette smoke everywhere are adding to the suffering of the merchants.
Although these gatherings cause great inconvenience, there are not many cases in which people have been punished for violating the law on assemblies and demonstrations. In fact, of the cases in 2022 that were referred to prosecutors for violating the Gypsy Law, only 10
The rate of prosecution was 25.6%, significantly lower than the overall average prosecution rate (40.2%). Furthermore, even if prosecution was conducted, there were no cases in the past two years in which punishment beyond a fine was imposed.
This is because freedom of expression is excessively guaranteed in the current law, and violations of other fundamental rights are often underestimated.
With the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, a bill to amend the law on assemblies and demonstrations was proposed, with the main focus being on "strengthening regulations on noise and punishment for assemblies." Rep. Kwon said, "Even if the ideas and arguments are correct,
"It is difficult to justify a method of expression if it infringes on the rights of others," he said, adding, "We must find a balance between guaranteeing freedom of assembly and demonstration and harmonizing the fundamental rights of others with the public interest."
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