Police Investigate Kim Ho-gyu, Metalworkers' Union Chairman, for 4 Hours over 'Illegal Assembly'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] On the 28th, the police investigating the July 3 downtown rally in Seoul led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) summoned and questioned Kim Ho-gyu, chairman of the Korean Metal Workers' Union.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's July 3 Illegal Rally Investigation Headquarters called Chairman Kim to Jongno Police Station to investigate violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and general traffic obstruction charges related to the nationwide workers' rally held on the 3rd. The investigation began around 3 p.m. and ended after about 3 hours and 50 minutes.

The police reportedly questioned Chairman Kim about his involvement in planning the workers' rally and the allegation that the Metal Workers' Union organized an unreported assembly.

Chairman Kim, arriving at 2:36 p.m., said, "I intend to cooperate sincerely with the investigation," adding, "I only made a simple speech at the workers' rally." He emphasized, "Some portray the KCTU as the main culprit of the fourth wave of COVID-19, but all rights to assembly, demonstration, and association are guaranteed by the Constitution, and we are also thoroughly trying to prevent infectious diseases."

Earlier, on the 3rd, the KCTU held a nationwide workers' rally with about 8,000 participants (estimated by the organizers) in the Jongno district of Seoul. After this rally, three participants tested positive for COVID-19.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a special investigation headquarters of 52 members, led by the head of the investigation division, and has so far booked 23 people and is conducting preliminary investigations on two others.

Meanwhile, following the first summons and questioning of a KCTU vice chairman on the 20th, a total of 10 people, including Chairman Kim, have been investigated as of this day.