By Bae Ji-sook, Park Si-soo
Staff reporters
Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it will permit followers of the late President Roh Moo-hyun to hold events at Seoul Plaza, Sunday, marking the first anniversary of his death.
The go-ahead came after an initial ban drew a strong protest from civic groups over the use of the landmark plaza, the place where millions of people gathered to mourn the former president a year earlier. An association of civic activists preparing for a commemorative ceremony sought the city’s permission to use Seoul Plaza on Saturday.
But the city refused citing another performance set to be held on the venue ㅡ a stage performance by the Little Angels, a renowned traditional dance group, drawing criticism from Roh’s followers and liberal activists.
``We will modify the performance schedule to make it possible for them to use the plaza,’’ the city said.
The city has previously been accused of banning May 18 Pro-Democracy Uprising-related events and others while allowing Rep. Cho Jeon-hyeok of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) to hold a fundraising concert for his political movement.
A conservative civic group was also authorized to hold a commemorative event for the victims of the sunken frigate Cheonan.
The contradictory decision caused a stir as events at the plaza become significant ahead of the June 2 local administration elections in which Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is running as the GNP candidate for another term.
Some people are raising the question: Should Seoul city have the authority to select the users of the plaza?
``A liberal holding an event at Seoul Plaza is virtually impossible. I wonder whether the city government really counts the plaza as an open space for everyone,’’ a resident named Chung said.
A bill is pending at the Seoul City Council to revise the relevant ordinance to allow open access to the plaza to everyone. The bill, filed with the council in January, was supported by more than 100,000 citizens who signed a petition to ``bring back Seoul Plaza to everyone.’’