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 police announced that their strict stance on illegal protests will remain unchanged regarding the nationwide labor rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) scheduled for the 13th.
On the 8th, at a press briefing held at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Naejadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "The Seoul police's response will continue to be based on managing assemblies from a quarantine perspective," adding, "Since the Seoul city government has issued a prohibition notice on the assembly, if it takes place, it will be considered an illegal assembly and protest. Our stance to strictly respond to illegal assemblies according to law and principles remains unchanged."
On the 20th of last month, the KCTU held a surprise general strike rally near Seodaemun Station intersection, close to the police headquarters, with an estimated 27,000 participants (according to the organizers). After the rally ended, the police immediately formed an investigation headquarters consisting of 67 members, led by the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's investigation division, to conduct an investigation.
Regarding the investigation status of the general strike on the 20th of last month, Commissioner Choi said, "Currently, investigations are ongoing for 44 individuals; 20 have been booked, and 2 have completed summons investigations," adding, "Some subjects have had their mobile phones seized and searched. We will conduct a strict investigation as quickly as possible."
On the 13th of this month, the KCTU plans to hold the "2021 Nationwide Workers' Rally to Inherit the Spirit of Martyr Jeon Tae-il" in downtown Seoul. The KCTU proposed holding assemblies in four areas within Seoul city, forming groups of 499 fully vaccinated participants each, maintaining a distance of 70 meters between groups, and marching along Sejong-daero and other locations. In response, the Seoul city government issued a prohibition notice.
Commissioner Choi said, "Holding assemblies with 499 people each seems like a loophole," and added, "Even if a distance of 70 meters is maintained, I believe it should be managed as a single assembly."
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