Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has expressed concern over civic groups that are still planning to hold rallies in the capital on Saturday, National Liberation Day, despite the issuance of an administrative order banning gatherings to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Chung said freedom of assembly should be respected, during a meeting of the Central Disaster Management Headquarters on Friday, but stressed the health and safety of the people should be the top priority during the pandemic.
He called on Seoul city to sternly deal with violators of the order.
Chung also warned of the surge in virus infections in the capital region and said stricter social distancing measures could be enforced if the situation worsens.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
