3 Disasters Caused by the Minnochoong Rally... Illegal Assembly, Quarantine Concerns, and Public Backlash

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@

The aftermath of the general strike involving 550,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is intensifying. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation, there is criticism that forcibly pushing through the strike and large-scale rallies has brought about a 'triple disaster (3jae, 災)' upon themselves.

◆ Illegal rallies dampen 'With Corona' efforts = According to the police on the 21st, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency immediately formed a 67-member "October 20 Illegal Rally Investigation Headquarters" led by the head of the investigation division following the enforcement of the general strike. The investigation headquarters reportedly requested the attendance of rally organizers, including Yoon Taek-geun, acting chairman of the KCTU, at the police station the previous day. The Seoul Police stated, "Despite government calls to withdraw the strike and bans on rallies by the police and Seoul city, the rally organizers and key participants forcibly held large-scale illegal rallies around the Seodaemun Station area and other downtown locations," adding, "We have launched an investigation applying charges such as violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, general obstruction of traffic, and violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and will conduct a swift and strict investigation." The KCTU also forcibly held a nationwide workers' rally with over 7,000 participants around Jongno, Seoul, in July. Because of that rally, Yang Kyung-soo, then chairman of the KCTU who led the event, was detained.

◆ Masks lowered, smoking and conversations... neglecting quarantine measures = Approximately 27,000 people (according to organizers' estimates) gathered at the main rally site at the Seodaemun Station intersection in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The KCTU set up quarantine guideline notices at some points and conducted temperature checks for infection control. Rally officials also urged participants to "make sure to undergo temperature checks." Some participants attended wearing disposable protective suits, masks, and face shields. However, as many participants gathered, many lowered their masks while talking or failed to maintain social distancing, increasing infection concerns. In particular, some union members standing near the subway station exits at the Seodaemun Station intersection were frequently seen smoking cigarettes. Passersby frowned due to the cigarette smell and concerns over quarantine measures.

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, demanding 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," clashing with the police. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◆ "What is the strike for?" Citizens express dissatisfaction = As the KCTU suddenly held the main rally at the Seodaemun Station intersection, self-employed business owners around Gwanghwamun, City Hall, and Seodaemun Station areas, where barricades were initially set up, all reported damages. Park (33), who runs a cafe near Seodaemun Station, said, "Office workers usually buy a lot of coffee after lunch, but because of the rally, we barely sold any." Seo Geun-sook (61), who operates a convenience store nearby, complained, "The delivery truck couldn't enter due to the rally, so although my shift ended at 2 p.m., I worked until 6 p.m. There were so many people waiting that I couldn't even properly use the restroom." To block large gatherings, 88 subway stations and bus stops, including Gwanghwamun, Anguk, Jonggak, City Hall, and Gyeongbokgung stations, were passed without stopping, which also affected business. Jung (55), who runs a bakery near Jongno 3-ga Station, said, "There was a disruption to business during the no-stop period. Since there were hardly any passersby, we could barely operate for 1 to 2 hours."