About 10,000 Participants Rally in Yeouido Led by the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union of the KCTU

On the afternoon of the 27th, a rally condemning the Cargo Solidarity government ruling party was held near Yeouido Station in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union held a general rally in Yeouido on the 27th.

The Public Transport Workers' Union began the general rally around 2 p.m. in the Yeouido area with about 10,000 participants. They are demanding the eradication of inequality in the public sector and the expansion of basic labor rights.

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the police issued a ban notice on the Yeouido rally citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The Seoul Administrative Court also dismissed the Public Transport Workers' Union's request for a suspension of the ban order, but the union ultimately decided to proceed with the rally.

The KCTU had also forcibly held a nationwide workers' rally on the 13th by suddenly gathering at the Dongdaemun Station intersection in Jongno-gu.

Before the main rally on this day, four headquarters of the Public Transport Workers' Union held separate preliminary rallies.

The Cargo Solidarity Headquarters urged the abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and full application of industrial accident insurance at 1 p.m. in Yeouido, while the Public Institution Headquarters demanded the dismantling of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and institutionalization of labor-government negotiations nearby. The National Education Public Officials Headquarters called for strengthening educational welfare at noon in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and the National Democratic Post Office Headquarters urged adjustment of delivery workers' staffing and withdrawal of personnel cuts at the same time in front of Gwanghwamun Post Office.

The police have considered all recent rallies held by the KCTU illegal, formed a dedicated investigation team, and are maintaining a strict response policy by summoning rally participants for questioning.