French authorities seek to ban or curb fresh protests

French authorities have imposed bans or restrictions on upcoming protests following recent demonstrations that resulted in widespread looting, vandalism of public buildings, and the country's worst street violence in years. According to The Korea Times, President Emmanuel Macron stated that organized ultra-left groups aiming to bring down the republic led the worst of the violence, an act he accused of sedition.

These clashes occurred on October 17 during mass demonstrations involving more than half a million people protesting the rising cost of living.

President Macron said the priority is a return to calm, as reported by both Channel News Asia and The Korea Times. Following a meeting with intelligence officials and key ministers, Macron announced that security measures including curfews and bans on protests by groups deemed to lack legitimacy would be implemented. He is scheduled to chair a defense council meeting on Friday to determine further steps regarding nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday and beyond.

Brief written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia, The Korea Times — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.