Park Jun-young (second from left), representative of Liberty University, is speaking at a press conference held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the afternoon of August 22. / Hanmi Ilbo file photo.  

A court has accepted an injunction filed by Liberty University against the police, ruling that the police's restrictions on the group's assembly are unconstitutional. 

As a result, Liberty University is now permitted to hold its anti-China rally on the 3rd. 

Liberty University had notified authorities last month on the 17th of its plan to hold a rally starting from Heunginjimun Gate and marching toward the Gwanghwamun area between 7:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on that day.

Previously, the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency issued a notice restricting anti-China slogans. Liberty University immediately objected, arguing that it "excessively infringes upon the freedom of expression," and filed a lawsuit along with an application for an injunction to stay the execution of the notice. 

The 12th Administrative Division of the Seoul Administrative Court (presided by Chief Judge Kang Jae-won) pointed out procedural flaws, stating, "The Assembly and Demonstration Act stipulates that notifications of bans or restrictions on assemblies must be made within 48 hours of the application," but "the police did not issue the notice until more than 10 days after Liberty University filed its report last month."

However, the court added a condition calling for compliance with legal norms, stating, "The police may issue an order to disperse if it is clear that there will be a direct threat of violence or other unlawful acts." 

Liberty University is marching in the Myeong-dong commercial district in Seoul on September 9. / Hanmi Ilbo