'General Strike' by KCTU, 27,000 Gather in Downtown Seoul... Police Immediately Launch Investigation (Comprehensive Report 2)

Surprise Rally with 27,000 Union Members Participating Around Seodaemun Station
Voices Calling for the Abolition of Irregular Jobs and the Release of Yang Kyung-soo
Police Immediately Launch Investigation on Charges of Violating the Infectious Disease Control Act and Assembly and Demonstration Act

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held the "10·20 KCTU General Strike Rally" at the Seodaemun Station intersection in Seoul on the 20th, urging the abolition of discrimination against workplaces with fewer than five employees, the elimination of irregular employment, and the securing of union activity rights for all workers. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] On the 20th, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which conducted a large-scale general strike involving 550,000 union members, held a general strike rally with approximately 27,000 union members (organizers' estimate) gathered around the Seodaemun Station intersection in Seodaemun-gu, 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 hastily moved. The KCTU set its goals to push policy agendas such as the abolition of irregular employment, elimination of discrimination against workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees, and strengthening public services like healthcare, housing, and caregiving, aiming to realize these in next year's presidential election.

◆ Surprise Main Rally Held at Seodaemun Station = Around 1:30 PM that day, the KCTU informed rally participants via mobile messengers that the main rally would be held at the Seodaemun Station intersection. Accordingly, union members scattered at Euljiro 1-ga Station, Seoul City Hall, Jongno 3-ga, and other locations gathered at the Seodaemun Station intersection and occupied the road. The police quickly assembled at Seodaemun Station as well. From around 2:20 PM, due to the surprise main rally, roads near Seodaemun Station became even more congested. Route buses and other vehicles had to detour toward Seoul Station or Dongnimmun, causing severe traffic jams in the area.

Clashes occurred between police trying to block rally participants at key points and KCTU union members. From around lunchtime, 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 transportation disruptions. Since a march toward the Blue House was also anticipated, police buses were stationed in narrow alleys in the east-west section from Anguk Tower and Dongsipjagak to Naejadong and Jeokseondong. The police deployed a total of 171 units with about 12,000 personnel to respond.

◆ "Abolish Irregular Employment, Release Yang Kyung-soo" in One Voice = Kim Woo-gi, chairman of the Metal Workers' Union, one of the major organizations, urged in his speech at the main rally, "We demand the release of Chairman Yang Kyung-soo, who is currently detained," adding, "There are rumors that more union leaders will be arrested after today's general strike. We have fallen into a 'labor backward country' where the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of assembly is not respected." He emphasized, "No matter how severe the COVID-19 situation is, the freedom of assembly and demonstration must be guaranteed," and declared, "Today’s strike is not the end but a new beginning to break inequality, as the chairman of the Metal Workers' Union."

Lee (50), an elementary childcare specialist, participated in the rally as a member of the National School Irregular Workers' Union. She raised her voice, saying, "I came out to abolish discrimination against irregular workers," and "We are not asking to be treated the same as regular workers but to receive fair compensation appropriate to our duties." She added, "The Ministry of Education proposed improvements for childcare specialists' treatment, but local education offices are delaying implementation," and "To provide high-quality care from next year, full-day care hours must be implemented." A female union member in her 50s from the Mart Industry Labor Union said, "Most mart workers are irregular workers," and "They suffer from inequality in wages and welfare treatment."

The lanes near Seodaemun intersection are currently completely blocked by the police. The police continuously broadcast warnings toward the KCTU protesters, saying, "Your prolonged road occupation increases the risk of accidents. Participants in illegal assemblies are subject to punishment," and "Disperse immediately."

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held the "10·20 KCTU General Strike Rally" at the Seodaemun Station intersection in Seoul on the 20th, urging the abolition of discrimination against workplaces with fewer than five employees, the elimination of irregular workers, and the securing of union activity rights for all workers. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

◆ Citizens Question the Strike and Rally Amid the 'COVID-19 Situation' = Citizens also expressed concerns about the KCTU's general strike. Kim (41), an office worker met near Gwanghwamun in the morning, said, "Urban rallies held in places like Gwanghwamun and Jongno are usually held on weekends to avoid inconveniencing citizens, but holding them on weekdays causes innocent citizens to suffer," and "I’m not sure if the general strike is persuasive." Sun Ye-ji (27) said, "I don’t understand why they hold rallies during the COVID-19 pandemic," and "I hope they express their opinions in ways that don’t harm others like a general strike."

Shim (36), who runs a mart near Seodaemun Station, said, "(Due to the large-scale rally) business is bad and it’s frustrating," adding, "How can they hold such a large rally here? The scale is too big. They should restrain themselves." Shim also said, "The government obviously has responsibility," and "These conflicts and problems should be resolved through agreements; otherwise, citizens like us suffer."

The KCTU set up notices about quarantine guidelines at some points and conducted temperature checks for infection control. Rally organizers also urged participants to "please undergo temperature checks." Participants were seen attending the rally wearing disposable protective suits, masks, and face shields. However, as many participants gathered, some lowered their masks to smoke or did not maintain social distancing, raising concerns about infection risks.

◆ No March Held, but Police Immediately Launched Investigation = The KCTU initially announced a march to the Blue House but did not proceed with the march due to the sudden change of the main rally location. As of 5 PM, most rally participants and police had withdrawn from the Seodaemun intersection area. Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 20th, "Despite government calls to withdraw the strike and bans on assemblies by the police and Seoul city, the organizers and key participants of the large-scale illegal assembly in the downtown area including Seodaemun Station have been investigated."

On the same day, the Seoul Police formed a '10.20 Illegal Protest Investigation Headquarters' consisting of 67 members, led by the head of the investigation department. The headquarters plans to summon the organizers to the police station. The Seoul Police stated, "We will promptly and strictly investigate all organizers who forcibly held long illegal assemblies and marches in the downtown area, as well as those responsible for illegal acts, applying charges such as violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstruction of general traffic, and violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act without exception."