On the 20th, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a general strike near Seodaemun Station in Seoul, marching to demand the abolition of irregular employment and other issues. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] On the 20th, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which held a large-scale rally with more than 20,000 people gathering in downtown Seoul, held a general strike rally around Seodaemun Station intersection in Seoul.
Originally, the main rally was planned to be held around Gwanghwamun and Seoul Plaza, but when they were blocked by police barricades, the main rally location was urgently moved.
At around 1:30 PM that day, the KCTU informed rally participants via mobile messenger that the main rally would be held at Seodaemun Station intersection. Accordingly, union members who were scattered around Euljiro 1-ga Station, Seoul City Hall, Taepyeong-ro area, and Jongno 3-ga gathered at Seodaemun Station intersection and occupied the road. Consequently, the police also quickly assembled at Seodaemun Station.
Clashes occurred between police trying to block rally participants at key points and KCTU union members. From around noon, major subway station entrances such as Gyeongbokgung Station, Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall Station, Jonggak Station, and Anguk Station were closed, and trains passed through without stopping, causing traffic congestion. Since a march toward the Blue House was also announced, police buses are parked in narrow alleys in the east-west section from Anguk Tower and Dongsipjagak to Naejadong and Jeokseon-dong.
The police are currently responding with a total of 171 units and about 12,000 personnel deployed.
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