By Cho Jae-hyon
The Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday that the law restricting rallies near foreign embassies is constitutional.
It said the ban should be justified as it secures the safety of ambassadors and employees from possible physical threats from potentially violent people taking part in the rallies.
The current law governing demonstrations and assembly imposes a ban on outdoor rallies within a 100 meter radius of foreign embassies and consulates.
Its ruling is in response to civic activist Kim Ki-jong who had asked the court to review the constitutionality of the law.
He was denied permission to hold rallies in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest Tokyo’s territorial claim on the South Korean islets of Dokdo.
Kim has claimed that the restrictions infringed upon his right to assembly guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The purpose of the law is to protect diplomats and employees as well as citizens and foreigners who enter the embassy and consulate buildings,” the court said in its ruling.
The restrictions are necessary for their protection as outdoor rallies near diplomatic compounds could turn violent, it said.
Kim, 50, was arrested for throwing stones at former Japanese Ambassador Toshinori Shigei at a forum in Seoul in July, and given a suspended two-year jail sentence.
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