A rally planned by a conservative group in downtown Seoul on Saturday is being blocked by police.

The group, led by head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church Jun Kwang-hoon, began their so-called walking event at 6 a.m. at Seoul train station, demanding President Moon Jae-in's impeachment, but the police have blocked the protest.

Jun did not attend the rally.

Police and Seoul City earlier made it clear that all rallies are banned in downtown Seoul in light of the pandemic with the exception of one-person protests. 

The group then changed its plan, saying it was holding a series of concurrent individual marches. The police still warned of a stern response, saying the marches are closer to an illegal rally.

Police have set up vehicle barricades and safety fences surrounding Gwanghwamun and installed temporary checkpoints at more than 80 locations including Han River bridges to prevent the gathering of rally participants.

Progressive-leaning groups are also planning protests nationwide to mark Liberation Day on Sunday.

The umbrella labor group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is also holding one-person protests involving some 200 people across Seoul from 4 p.m. Saturday to call for a stop to the South Korea-U.S. military exercise.