"Submit Police Complaint to Punish All Participants of Illegal Rally by Minju No Chong"

Judicial Exam Candidates' Group Files Complaint with National Police Agency
Seodaemun Station Rally Continues... Police Form 67-Member Investigation Unit

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 Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 20th, a complaint requesting the punishment of all participants in the nationwide general strike rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) was filed with the police.

The Association of Judicial Exam Preparers (Sajunmo) announced on the 21st that it submitted a complaint to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters, requesting that all KCTU union members who conspired and participated in the illegal rally be punished for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act, the Infectious Disease Prevention Act, obstruction of general traffic, and obstruction of business.

In the complaint, Sajunmo stated, "Despite repeated government warnings, the accused, who constitute only 5% of the total KCTU union members, have repeatedly held illegal rallies to achieve their political objectives," adding, "Due to the illegal rallies, citizens suffered significant traffic inconveniences, nearby merchants experienced decreased sales, and the public faced renewed fear over the potential resurgence of COVID-19."

The KCTU attempted to hold the main general strike rally on the 19th around Gwanghwamun and Seoul City Hall Plaza in Seoul, but after being blocked by police barricades, they moved to the Seodaemun Station intersection area and forcibly held the rally with an estimated 27,000 attendees (according to the organizers). The KCTU had originally announced a march to the Blue House but did not proceed with it due to the sudden change of the main rally location.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a '10.20 Illegal Rally Investigation Headquarters' consisting of 67 members, led by the head of the investigation department, and began an investigation. The police plan to summon the organizers and others involved. The police emphasized, "We will promptly and strictly investigate all rally organizers who forcibly held illegal rallies and marches for extended periods in the downtown area, as well as those responsible for illegal acts, applying charges without exception for violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstruction of general traffic, and violations of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act."