Seoul police Thursday withdrew their bus barricade around a downtown plaza put in place nearly 10 days ago to prevent crowds of mourners for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun from staging anti-government protests, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Over 30 police buses had surrounded the square in front of Seoul City Hall where large numbers of citizens gathered daily after Roh took his own life on May 23.
Roh's death triggered harsh public anger against the Lee Myung-bak government that they say conducted a "politically motivated" investigation into bribery charges surrounding Roh and his family. People set up a makeshift alter for Roh next to the square, drawing tens of thousands of mourners paying tribute to the late leader.
Police said they blockaded the area to prevent political gatherings and violent rallies. The plaza was opened temporarily for Roh's public funeral on May 29 but was cordoned off again after the funeral.
Civic groups criticized the blockade, calling it an abuse of police power. Under municipal ordinances, the Seoul city government is entitled to decide whether a group or groups can hold activities at the square.
Police buses and vehicles withdrew from the plaza early Thursday morning.
"We barricaded the area to maintain public order. We think it is time to lift it for public convenience," a police officer said. "It was not because we gave in to public criticism."
Despite the withdrawal of the barricade, the Seoul city government reversed an earlier decision and will now not allow a human rights film festival to be held at another plaza several hundred meters from city hall.
The municipal government had given permission in February for the festival scheduled from Friday to Sunday.
"We revoked permission in consultation with the police because most of the films to be featured are about the current situation. The event could turn into illegal demonstrations," an official was quoted as saying.
Organizers of the festival said they will push ahead with their original plan.
"The authorities are infringing on our freedom of expression," said the Sarangbang Group for Human Rights in a press release. "We will not change our schedule. The festival will open on Friday."