On the afternoon of July 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. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is conducting a large-scale general strike involving 550,000 union members across 14 regions nationwide on the 20th.
The general strike includes major affiliated organizations such as the Metal Workers' Union, Public Officials' Union, Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, Public Transport Workers' Union, and Construction Workers' Union, as well as the National School Irregular Workers' Union, which includes school meal cooks and care workers, and delivery riders.
They are demanding ▲ the abolition of discrimination against workplaces with fewer than five employees and the elimination of irregular employment ▲ securing the right to union activities for all workers ▲ securing public services in care, healthcare, education, housing, and transportation ▲ and the establishment of a national responsibility system for jobs during industrial transition. Ahead of next year's presidential election, KCTU aims to highlight various labor issues.
On the same day, KCTU will also hold strike rallies in 14 locations nationwide. Out of the 500,000 participants in the general strike, about 80,000 (25,000 to 30,000 in Seoul) are expected to attend the rallies, according to KCTU. The government has repeatedly requested restraint from striking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 before transitioning to a 'With Corona' quarantine system early next month. The police have classified this strike rally as an illegal assembly and plan to respond strictly. To prepare for the rally, the police will install a 'cross-shaped (十) barricade' in downtown Seoul and operate checkpoints at major entry points to the city center to minimize the gathering scale.
KCTU is resisting, stating that the responsibility for quarantine should not be shifted onto them. At a press conference held the day before in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, KCTU expressed strong opposition to the government's assembly ban measures, using terms such as 'COVID martial law.' This has raised concerns that clashes may occur during the rally. The government has warned that it will respond strictly to illegal acts occurring during the general strike and assemblies, such as violations of COVID-19 quarantine rules, making it likely that minor and major clashes will occur.
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