Union Leader Self-Immolation Death... Construction Union Protest Rally in Front of Presidential Office

Nearby Conservative Group Rally... No Clashes Reported

The funeral of Yang Hoedong (50), an executive of the Construction Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) who died by self-immolation, was held in Seoul, while the Construction Union held a protest rally in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office.

On the afternoon of the 4th, members of the Construction Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally for an all-out struggle against the government on Hangang-daero near the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th, the Construction Union held a rally condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon. It is estimated that about 3,500 union members gathered at the rally. The members assembled at Seoul Station and then marched toward the Yongsan Presidential Office along two lanes.

The union stated, "The Yoon administration has killed construction workers," and added, "Unprecedented coercive repression against the Construction Union is being carried out." They also declared, "We announce a general strike struggle to end prosecutorial dictatorship politics and to create a world where construction workers are respected and become the owners."

At the same time, conservative groups such as the New Freedom Solidarity held a rally near the Construction Union's protest site. They shouted slogans such as "Dissolve the KCTU" and "Dissolve the aristocratic unions." However, there was no physical clash between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Construction Union, entrusted by the bereaved family with the funeral procedures, moved Yang’s funeral hall from Sokcho City, Gangwon Province, to Seoul. The union has been receiving condolences at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, since 2 p.m. on the same day. The funeral is being held in the form of a labor union funeral.

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, visited the funeral hall around 4:40 p.m. and said, "I feel devastated and angry at Yang Hoedong, the district chief’s extreme choice," adding, "The Construction Union is being oppressed as a means to gain political interests and consolidate the support base." Chairman Yang announced that a government condemnation rally is scheduled for the 10th.