Seoul: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok instructed the police Friday to take "strong measures" when necessary against anti-China rallies taking place in Seoul, his office said. Kim was referring to rallies that recently moved from the central district of Myeongdong to the southwestern neighborhood of Daelim-dong, which is home to a large Chinese population.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the prime minister instructed Yoo Jae-seong, the acting police chief, to closely monitor the rallies and take "strong measures" when necessary in accordance with laws on rallies and police officers' duties, his office said in a press release. He also called for ensuring safety and order to minimize the inconvenience and anxiety of local vendors, residents, and Chinese nationals in their everyday lives.
The rallies in Myeongdong, a major shopping district and the site of the Chinese Embassy, have often been noisy and sometimes become violent. President Lee Jae Myung addressed the issue during a Cabinet meeting last week, questioning, "How is that a freedom of expression?" Police imposed a ban several days later on the protesters entering Myeongdong and using violence to create unnecessary friction with diplomats and tourists.