Minnochoong Gathering in Gangwon-do, Large-Scale Rally Blocked, They Crossed Hills One After Another

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is climbing a nearby hill after being blocked from entering the National Health Insurance Service building in Wonju, Gangwon Province, the site of their rally on the 23rd.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea grows uncontrollably, participants of the 전국민주노동조합총연맹 (Minnochoeng, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) rally were seen crossing a hill to move toward the rally site at the National Health Insurance Service building in Wonju, Gangwon Province.

Earlier, Minnochoeng announced that it would hold a "Resolution Rally for Direct Employment of Customer Center Counselors" over two days, on the 23rd and the upcoming 30th, in Wonju. In response, health authorities requested restraint from Minnochoeng, and Wonju City raised social distancing to Level 3 from midnight on the 23rd until midnight on August 1, allowing only "one-person protests."

From 9 a.m. that day, the police concentrated police buses around the National Health Insurance Service building and set up barricades. Officers were stationed at every alley leading to the building to inspect vehicles and control the entry of rally participants. A total of 1,760 police officers from 22 companies were deployed on site.

Source=Online Community Capture

However, Minnochoeng rally participants bypassed the police barricades and crossed the hill as a group to reach the rally site.

On the 3rd, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a nationwide workers' rally while occupying the road in Jongno 3-ga, demanding a complete revision of the labor law. Photo by Yonhap News.

Previously, on the 3rd, Minnochoeng held a nationwide workers' rally with about 8,000 participants in the Jongno District of Seoul. At that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police had prohibited the rally due to concerns over COVID-19 spread and blocked the Yeouido area, the planned rally site, but Minnochoeng changed the location and proceeded with the rally.

Among the Jongno rally participants, three tested positive for COVID-19, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an administrative order for all participants to undergo testing. A total of 4,172 people were tested, with 391 still awaiting results. Minnochoeng stated in a comment that "apart from the initial three confirmed cases, there are no additional positive cases, and the Wonju rally will proceed as planned."

Meanwhile, according to health authorities, as of midnight that day, there were 62 new COVID-19 cases in Gangwon Province. This far exceeded the previous single-day record of 55 cases (December 19 last year) since the COVID-19 outbreak. Notably, Wonju, where the rally was scheduled, had the highest number of confirmed cases at 23. Nearby apartment residents demanded the cancellation of the rally and conducted a "petition against the rally."