100 professors oppose bill banning night rallies

By Park Si-soo

A group of 100 law professors criticized a bill banning outdoor rallies at night, dealing a blow to the ruling Grand National Party’s attempt to endorse it before the G20 summit in Seoul next month.

They said in a joint statement issued Friday that the bill apparently restricts the freedom of expression, a value ensured by the Constitution.

“Even if a rally is staged after midnight, it should be allowed,” the statement said. “This is a constitutional value that cannot be restricted in any way whatsoever.”

A political clash on the controversial bill is heating up since the major opposition Democratic Party is reluctant to allow it to pass.

In September last year, a law banning any outdoor rallying after sunset was ruled unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court ruled the law must be amended by June 30 this year. But legislators failed to do so by the deadline, making the previous article null and void.

In an amendment move, the ruling party designed a bill barring rallies from 11 p.m. till 6 a.m. to ensure public safety at night, while the opposition party pursues no time restrictions gathering even at night.