PHOTOS Small business owners organize in-vehicle protest against 'suffocating' virus measures

Driving in line, small business owners flicker their emergency lights in protest against the government's Level 4 social distancing rules, which came into force on July 12 in the capital area, on July 15. More than 400 people took part in the protest, driving from Yeouido Park to Daehangno. The highest-level distancing rules ban private gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. and require all multi-use facilities to close after 10pm. Many small businesses have been suffering amid the prolonged pandemic. Yonhap

A participant of the in-vehicle rally complains about the strengthened restrictions to a police officer during the protest in Seoul, July 15. Yonhap

Kim Gi-hong, leader of a national emergency commission for small business owners, speaks to reporters at Yeouido Park, Seoul, July 15. Kim demanded that the government adopt new, more sophisticated social distancing measures and lift the current ban on private gatherings. Yonhap

The truck of Kim Gi-hong, head of the national emergency commission for small business owners, is surrounded by police officers and reporters at Yeouido Park, Seoul, July 15. Yonhap

Police officers stand guard at checkpoints along the roads, with a sign saying that rallies are currently prohibited according to the social distancing rules, at an intersection near Seogang Bridge, Seoul, July 14. Yonhap