The side of Yang Kyung-soo in the 'Illegal Assembly' case says at the first trial, "Freedom of assembly and demonstration must be broadly guaranteed"

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU)
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the National Democratic Labor Confederation (Minju-nochong), who is accused of leading large-scale rallies in downtown Seoul amid the spread of COVID-19, admitted to the charges of illegal assembly at the first trial but raised issues regarding the unconstitutionality of provisions in the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

At 11:10 a.m. on the 19th, Judge Jeong Jong-geon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9 presided over the first trial of Chairman Yang, who was indicted and detained on charges including violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act. Yang, who is currently held at Seoul Detention Center, appeared in court wearing full-body protective gear against COVID-19 in accordance with the formal trial attendance obligation.

In court, Yang’s defense attorney stated, "We admit most of the charges," but added, "While there is no dispute over the facts regarding the violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, we contest the unconstitutionality of the related legal provisions and the illegality of the local government’s assembly restriction notices."

Yang’s side also expressed a desire to call Lee Ho-jung, co-chairman of the National Professors and Researchers Council for a Democratic and Equal Society (and professor at Sogang University Law School), who emphasized that freedom of assembly and demonstration should be broadly guaranteed in relation to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, to hear his opinion as a witness.

In response, the court said, "Rather than having Professor Lee appear in court to speak, the defense attorney may introduce his views in writing," and scheduled the next trial session for 2:30 p.m. on November 2.

Previously, Yang was indicted for leading several illegal protests from May to July (violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and general traffic obstruction). Notably, approximately 8,000 people attended the National Workers’ Rally held in downtown Seoul on July 3, according to the organizers’ estimate.

The police secured Yang’s custody on the 2nd of last month, 20 days after the court issued an arrest warrant, and transferred him to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. The prosecution indicted Yang in custody on the 15th of last month.

Meanwhile, Minju-nochong is preparing for a large-scale general strike on the 20th, aiming for the participation of all 1.1 million union members. Despite concerns from various sectors, Minju-nochong plans to proceed with the general strike. When boarding the police escort vehicle, Chairman Yang reportedly said, "Please prepare diligently for the October general strike."