Prosecutors Demand 10-Month Prison Sentence for Minju No Chong Chairman over 'Illegal Assembly and Protest'

On May 1st, Labor Day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is holding a World Labor Day rally on Sejong-daero in Seoul. Chairman Yang Kyung-soo is giving a speech. The event, themed around labor rights without discrimination and securing quality jobs, took place simultaneously in 16 regions nationwide, including Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has requested a 10-month prison sentence for Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was brought to trial on charges of leading illegal assemblies and demonstrations.

On the 3rd, at the first trial of Chairman Yang held under the presiding of Chief Judge Choi Chang-hoon of the Criminal Division 8 at the Seoul Central District Court, the prosecution asked the court to "sentence the defendant to 10 months in prison and a fine of 2 million won."

For Yoon Taek-geun, the senior vice chairman who was indicted alongside Chairman Yang, the prosecution requested a 6-month prison sentence and a fine of 2 million won, and for Jeon Jong-deok, the secretary-general, a fine of 3 million won.

In his final statement, Chairman Yang argued, "We struggled a lot with guaranteeing assemblies while experiencing the unprecedented situation of COVID-19," but added, "It was inevitable to speak for the desperate workers."

The court decided to deliver the verdict for Chairman Yang and others on August 11.

On May 1 last year, the KCTU held the "131st World Labor Day Rally" in Yeouido, Seoul. The prosecution judged that during this event, the KCTU violated the current Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and indicted Chairman Yang and others who led the event.