Construction Union Sets Up Memorial Altar Next to Cheonggyecheon Only During Assembly Hours

Police "No Special Restrictions"

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Construction Union has set up a memorial altar next to Cheonggyecheon in Jung-gu, Seoul, to honor the late Yang Hoedong, an executive of the Construction Union. The police stated that they do not plan to impose special restrictions, judging that the situation will not be prolonged.

Representatives of labor and civil society organizations participating in the 'Yanghoedong Martyrs' Joint Action,' including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press conference on the 2nd in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, condemning and accusing the police of dismantling the memorial altar for Yang Hoedong, a construction union official who died by self-immolation, which was set up near Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 31st of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 5th, the Construction Union announced that around 10 a.m. that day, they installed a temporary memorial altar in front of the Seoul Finance Center building next to Cheonggyecheon to pay tribute to Mr. Yang.

The Construction Union plans to set up the altar daily at 10 a.m., the designated time for assembly notification, and dismantle it after the candlelight cultural event ends at 8 p.m. They have notified the police of their intention to hold assemblies at this location from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Construction Union had previously attempted a surprise installation of a memorial altar at the same location during an assembly on the 31st of last month, but it was removed by the police.

The police are not imposing separate sanctions. The police stated, "If the installation is prolonged or causes inconvenience to citizens, it is illegal under the Road Act, so we cooperate with local governments to minimize obstruction," adding, "We judged that the installation of the memorial altar will not be prolonged, so we did not impose special restrictions."