Police Assembly Management Completely Changed, Ended with 4 Arrests... Tension Remains

Four Union Members Arrested on 'Obstruction of Official Duties' Charges
Current Policy Likely to Continue... Suggests Reintroduction of Water Cannon

The large-scale rally held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) in downtown Seoul on the 31st ended with four union members being arrested on charges of obstructing official duties. Although there had been expectations that the confrontation between the police and union members would escalate, the rally's intensity was assessed to have weakened as the police announced a strict stance on 'forced dispersal' and other stern measures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Forced Dispersal Order → Clash Leading to 4 Arrests → Voluntary Dispersal

The KCTU voluntarily dispersed around 8:30 p.m. that day and canceled the march to the National Police Agency, which is interpreted as being influenced by the police's strict response policy on forced dispersal. The police had also prepared 3,800 units of capsaisin spray equipment.

This was in stark contrast to the overnight sit-in rally held on the 16th and 17th of last month. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency issued only three dispersal orders on both days combined. Although the police have the authority to forcibly disperse illegal rallies after issuing three or more dispersal orders and receiving no compliance, they did not actually carry out forced dispersal.

Similarly, in April last year, the KCTU held a rally with about 6,000 participants titled 'Resolution Rally for Labor Rights without Discrimination and Quality Jobs,' but the police only repeated dispersal orders. At that time, the police issued the first dispersal order followed by the second and third at 10-minute intervals but did not proceed with forced dispersal. After about a year, the level of strict response has increased.

About 20,000 KCTU members held a large-scale rally on Sejong-daero in Seoul from 2 p.m. the previous day, condemning the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Union members carried placards calling for the resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol government and criticized government policies.

It was confirmed that a total of about 35,000 people attended the nationwide rallies organized by the KCTU. The KCTU had initially reported that the rally would last until 5 p.m., but as it extended, the police issued a warning broadcast around 5:12 p.m., stating, "The rally time has passed, so from now on, it will be considered an illegal rally and legal procedures will be initiated." After the warning broadcast, when the first forced dispersal order was declared, the participants voluntarily dispersed. During the rally, 4 to 5 lanes of the Sejong-daero section from Daehanmun to Donghwa Duty-Free Shop were controlled.

At around 6:30 p.m., the KCTU clashed with the police after suddenly setting up a memorial altar for the late Yang Hoe-dong, a construction union official who died by self-immolation. The memorial altar was forcibly removed, and union members strongly resisted. During this process, four union members were arrested by the police on charges of obstructing official duties. Some union members sustained arm injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. The KCTU voluntarily dispersed around 8:30 p.m., and the planned march to the National Police Agency did not take place. The rally, which started at 2 p.m., ended after 6 hours and 40 minutes.

On the 31st, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held an all-out struggle rally in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, demanding an end to labor oppression and the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

'Police Strict Response' Impact... Possibility of Further Clashes Remains

Within the police, it is believed that the government's declaration of a tough response had some influence. It is also interpreted that the recent deterioration of public opinion toward the KCTU rallies was taken into account.

A police official said, "Capsaicin was not used at all," adding, "Although there were some clashes, the rally ended as the KCTU voluntarily dispersed earlier than planned."

Earlier, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun held situation review meetings and security strategy meetings, urging thorough responses by emphasizing ▲forced dispersal ▲capsaicin spray ▲on-the-spot arrest for obstruction of official duties ▲special promotion for 13 security police officers.

Meanwhile, the KCTU announced that starting from the 1st, it will hold candlelight cultural events daily instead of only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, leaving the possibility of further clashes in the future. A National Police Agency official stated, "If the nature of the rallies changes or situations causing public inconvenience such as road occupation occur, we will strictly enforce the law."