KCTU "Minimum Wage Increase Should Not Vary by Industry" Large-Scale Downtown Rally

Organizers Estimate 30,000 Participants, Police Estimate 12,000 Participants

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a 'National Workers' Rally' on the afternoon of the 22nd near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Sejong-daero, demanding an increase in the minimum wage and the guarantee of basic labor rights.

Kim Dong-myeong, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and members of the two major trade unions are holding a "Minimum Wage Anti-Discrimination Act National Assembly Proclamation Press Conference" on the steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said in his opening speech, "Those who used to blame the minimum wage for the economic crisis and the difficulties of self-employed workers are now trying to discriminate even against the minimum wage," adding, "Forcing low-wage workers to accept wages lower than the minimum wage is tantamount to telling them to give up on survival."

He continued, "We will not stop at raising the minimum wage but will achieve wage increases for all workers through continuous struggles with the Public Officials Salary Committee and for the living wage."

Kim Jung-hoon, head of the Nam Seoul branch of the Delivery Platform Workers' Union under the Service Federation, claimed, "Even now, minimum wage workers are living difficult lives, but the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is talking about differential application by industry and trying to discriminate against and cut the minimum wage."

Kim added, "We demand a substantial increase in the minimum wage, prevention of differential application by industry, and the application of the minimum wage to all workers, including special employment and platform workers, so that everyone who works can live a dignified life."

The rally, held amid rain, was attended by an estimated 30,000 people according to the organizers and about 12,000 according to the police, all wearing raincoats. Participants split into groups heading toward Seoul Station and the intersection in front of the National Police Agency, marching near Namyeong Station intersection in Yongsan-gu before concluding the rally.

The Minimum Wage Commission, composed of 27 members including nine workers, nine employers, and nine public interest members, has been deliberating on next year's minimum wage since the 21st of last month, with the issue of whether to apply differential rates by industry being a key point.