Large-scale rally again in November... Korean Confederation of Trade Unions announces another rally within a month

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 Jeong Dong-hoon] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which held large-scale rallies across the country on the 20th, is planning another large-scale rally in Seoul on the 13th of next month.

According to labor circles on the 23rd, the KCTU plans to hold a National Workers' Rally in Seoul on the 13th of next month. They emphasize that the rally is to carry on the spirit of the martyr Jeon Tae-il. The KCTU stated, "We will strongly join and unite with the struggles of the people, including farmers and the poor."

This announcement comes less than a month after a large-scale rally of 24,000 people (estimated by the organizers) was held in downtown Seoul on the 20th.

Currently, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has formed an investigation headquarters dedicated to investigating illegal activities related to the strike rallies. The investigation headquarters has requested the attendance of about 10 KCTU officials. The KCTU criticized, "Construction workers who forgo daily wages to participate in the general strike, as well as public officials and teachers without the right to strike, are excluded from the government's count," adding, "The government deliberately distorts and downplays the number of participants in the general strike and hastily establishes investigation headquarters, repeating old practices."

They further emphasized, "Is there anything problematic in KCTU's demands such as the abolition of irregular employment and the elimination of discrimination against workplaces with fewer than five employees?" and stated, "Starting with yesterday's general strike, the KCTU will devote itself to the struggle for an equal society."