Self-Employed Emergency Committee Sets Up Temporary Memorial After 7-Hour Standoff with Police

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A self-employed workers' organization has set up a joint memorial altar to honor self-employed individuals who took extreme measures due to financial hardships.

On the 17th, according to the National Emergency Response Committee for Self-Employed Workers (NERC), the committee installed a temporary memorial altar near Exit 3 of the National Assembly Station in Yeouido, Seoul, for self-employed individuals who took extreme measures.

The committee initially planned to set up and operate the joint memorial altar in front of Exit 1 of the National Assembly Station around 2 p.m. that day but was stopped by the police. Consequently, the committee attempted to relocate and reinstall the altar at other locations such as Yeouido Park and Exit 3 of the National Assembly Station but was again blocked by the police, resulting in a standoff lasting about seven hours. During this process, political figures including former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong and Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong visited the site to mediate.

Eventually, the committee installed the temporary memorial altar on the sidewalk in front of Exit 3 after 9:30 p.m. The altar, set up on a mat, featured a platform made of stacked plastic sheets, with a sign reading "謹弔 (Condolences) Republic of Korea Small Business Owners and Self-Employed" placed instead of a portrait. Electronic candles and incense were modestly arranged. Since then, a procession of self-employed individuals and others paying their respects has continued, starting with Kim Ki-hong, co-representative of the committee.

After paying respects, Representative Kim said, "It is so difficult for self-employed people to raise their voices asking to be saved," adding, "I hope small business owners and self-employed workers do not lose courage and stay strong."

The committee plans to operate the memorial altar until 11 p.m. on the 18th.