Deafened KCTU Ultimately Goes on General Strike... Citizens Say "Can't Understand Strike During COVID Times"

More than 25,000 Gather in Downtown Seoul for General Strike Rally
Police Erect 'Sealed Barricades' at Gwanghwamun and Seoul Plaza

On the 20th, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced a large-scale general strike rally in 14 regions nationwide including Seoul, police barricades were installed near Seoul City Hall Plaza and Sejong-daero. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is holding a large-scale rally with more than 25,000 people gathering in downtown Seoul on the 20th, ahead of the transition to 'With Corona.' The police responded strongly by installing barricades at Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Plaza from the morning to block the rally at its source. Amid ongoing suffering in quarantine and industrial and labor sites due to COVID-19, public criticism toward the KCTU is intensifying.

To prevent a large crowd from gathering at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, the police parked police buses and installed 'sealed barricades' blocking various parts of the city center. The police are expected to install barricades in a cross (十) shape, covering the north-south section from near the Plaza Hotel at Seoul Plaza through Sejongno Intersection to Gwanghwamun Square, and the east-west section from Seorindong area to the Salvation Army Hall, in preparation for the main rally and march at 2 p.m.

On the 20th, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced large-scale general strike rallies in 14 regions nationwide including Seoul, police barricades were installed near Sejong-daero, Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to deploy about 10,000 officers and install barricades to fully block the rally. The agency stated, "We have mobilized 171 units, with about 50 to 70 personnel per unit." Since the morning, police riot squads have been on standby throughout the city center, preparing for surprise rallies. Commissioner Choi stated at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee hearing the day before, "It is our principle to enforce consistently regardless of the organizer amid the high risk of COVID-19 spread," adding, "We will mobilize as many forces as possible from across the country."

Civilians also expressed concerns about the KCTU's general strike. Office worker Kim (41) said, "Rallies held in downtown areas like Gwanghwamun and Jongno are usually held on weekends to avoid inconveniencing citizens, but holding them on weekdays causes innocent citizens to suffer," and added, "I’m not sure if the general strike is even persuasive." Sun Yeji (27) said, "I don’t understand why they insist on holding rallies during the COVID-19 situation," and added, "I hope they express their opinions in ways that don’t harm others, rather than through a general strike."