Demonstrators Prohibited from Marching on Road from Next Year

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly which held a general session on Thursday passed a “revised bill on the right of assembly and demonstration law,” which civil organizations strongly oppose.

According to the revised bill, protesters of an assembly can not march on 95 major roads nationwide and can not stage a rally near schools, including kindergartens, and military facilities.

The bill also shortened the submission deadline for assembly applications from the existing 15 days to two days prior to the assembly in order to prevent organizations from monopolizing assemblies for a long period of time. In addition, the bill also stipulate that a gathering for a particular purpose, which have threatened public order with violence, threats, fire, and others, can be banned.

However, as civil organizations, the Korean Federal Bar Association, and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea strongly oppose the passage of the revised bill, the heated controversy over the bill is expected to continue until the bill is dealt with in the plenary session.

In addition, the committee also passed a revised bill on the police law to guarantee the term of a commissioner general of the National Police Agency for two years.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com