Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS): Several South Korean conservative civic groups critical of President Moon Jae-in's government have planned massive rallies in Seoul on Saturday, putting police and health officials on alert over the possible spread of COVID-19.

Saturday marks the annual Liberation Day, a national holiday to celebrate the end of Japan's 36-year colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula in 1945, reports Yonhap News Agency.

According to police, two conservative civic groups -- one led by pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and another named "Freedom Union" -- are planning to organize a joint rally between the Gwanghwamun square and Gyeongbok Palace.

In other parts of central and southern Seoul, including near the Bank of Korea building and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul, various other civic groups are planning to organize rallies on Saturday.

Overall, seven civic groups have so far reported plans to hold rallies in Seoul on the day with the estimated participation of 42,000 people.

The announcement comes despite the Seoul metropolitan government banninf gatherings in public squares in the city center in February as part of its anti-coronavirus measures but has imposed few restrictions on rallies held elsewhere.