Weekend Large-Scale Rally in Downtown... Cargo Solidarity Union Resolves Total Strike with Over 12,000 Participants

The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is holding a general strike resolution rally on the road in front of Sungnyemun on the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Over the weekend, large-scale rallies were held one after another in various parts of downtown Seoul.

At around 2 p.m. on the 28th, the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) held a general strike resolution rally in front of Sungnyemun on Sejong-daero, with an estimated 12,000 participants according to the organizers.

Lee Bong-ju, Chairman of the Cargo Solidarity, said in his opening speech, "Due to the soaring oil prices, the cost of diesel has exceeded 2,000 won per liter, but the government's measures are nothing more than a show," adding, "Let us stop this dangerous race that risks the lives of cargo workers and the public, and fight boldly."

The Cargo Solidarity plans to launch a general strike starting at midnight on the 7th of next month. Their demands include ▲abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and expansion to all vehicle types and items ▲increase in transportation fees ▲abolition of the consignment system and structural reform of the cargo transportation industry ▲expansion of basic labor rights and protection of cargo workers' rights.

All members of the Cargo Solidarity will maintain the strike formation until the Central Struggle Headquarters issues a return directive and plan to participate in the general strike departure ceremonies of each regional headquarters on the 7th.

About 2,500 workers from public sector subsidiaries under the Public Service and Transport Workers' Union also held a resolution rally around 1 p.m. in front of Exit 12 of Seoul Station that day. They demanded, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government must stop attempts to re-contract public institution subsidiaries to the private sector and abolish all indirect employment in the public sector," calling for direct employment and the abolition of indirect employment.

Approximately 3,000 irregular workers in the public sector under the Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, including the Railway Union's Korail Networks, Railway Customer Center, Korea Racing Authority, and National Health Insurance Customer Center branches, have already begun striking since the previous day.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) also held a nationwide teachers' rally in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on the same day to mark its 33rd anniversary. About 2,000 participants asserted, "Let us block the privileged education of the Yoon Seok-yeol government and realize equal education."

At the memorial altar for the developmentally and severely disabled victims set up near the ticket gates at Samgakji Station, politicians continued to pay their respects. Park Ji-hyun, Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, Song Young-gil, Seoul mayoral candidate, Jang Hye-young of the Justice Party, and Cho Seong-ju, Mapo District Office candidate, visited the altar.