Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, who pushed ahead with the July 3 National Workers' Rally despite the quarantine authorities' demands to cancel the gathering, is appearing on the 4th at Jongno Police Station in Seoul for a summons investigation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Jeong Dong-hoon] Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who is accused of leading a large-scale rally in downtown Seoul on the 3rd of last month, appeared at the police station on the 4th and was questioned for about 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Chairman Yang, after finishing the investigation at Jongno Police Station in Seoul around 7:30 p.m. that day, met with reporters and said, "I believe there is no dispute over the facts regarding the July 3rd Workers' Rally. I have admitted everything that needs to be admitted." He added, "However, as I have pointed out several times, I expressed the opinion that the government's quarantine guidelines excessively restrict rallies and demonstrations, which is problematic."
Regarding his refusal to comply with police summons three times, he explained, "Through my lawyer, I was coordinating the schedule with the police, but the police unilaterally specified the date for my appearance." He continued, "Until last week, there were many KCTU affairs, and starting this week, KCTU executives are on vacation, so I had already notified that I would use this time to undergo the investigation." He added, "I intend to respond to all summons without exception."
Chairman Yang was booked on charges including violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act after holding a KCTU nationwide workers' rally with an estimated 8,000 participants (according to the organizers) in the Jongno district of Seoul on the 3rd of last month.
Regarding this rally, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a special investigation headquarters consisting of 52 members, led by the head of the investigation department, and launched an investigation. So far, 23 people have been booked on charges including violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
Earlier on the day of his police appearance, Chairman Yang also stated, "It has been confirmed that there were no infections related to the workers' rally," and added, "The government's attempt to blame the KCTU for the failure of quarantine measures has failed."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
