Call for Amendment of Trade Union Act Articles 2 and 3
20,000 March in Downtown Rally
Yang Kyungsoo: "Abolish Anti-Labor Policies Destroyed by Yoon"
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a large-scale general strike rally in downtown Seoul on the 19th, calling for the immediate passage of the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act, also known as the "Yellow Envelope Act."
At the 2025 KCTU General Strike and All-Out Struggle March rally held near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 19th, participants are shouting slogans. Photo by Yonhap News
The General Strike and All-Out Struggle March, which began at 3 p.m. near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, drew between 15,000 participants (according to unofficial police estimates) and 20,000 participants (according to the organizers). Wearing yellow vests and headbands, participants chanted slogans such as "Amend Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act," "Abolish anti-labor policies," and "Guarantee workers the right to unionize."
Yang Kyungsoo, chairman of the KCTU, emphasized, "Amending the Trade Union Act is a demand to guarantee all workers the right to unionize," and added, "This bill is intended to check corporate greed and protect the right to livelihood for workers and ordinary citizens." He also argued, "The new government must abolish the anti-labor policies that former President Yoon Suk Yeol destroyed and engage in labor-government negotiations."
Lee Juan, chairman of the National Plant Construction Workers' Union, also stated, "Even after the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, there are still shortcomings in improving workers' rights and interests, such as the minimum wage," and insisted, "We must realize a sweeping social reform to build an equal society where the right to livelihood for workers and citizens is guaranteed."
Yang Kyungsoo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is delivering an opening speech at the 2025 KCTU General Strike and All-Out Struggle March rally held near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
During this general strike, the KCTU put forth demands including: the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act (Yellow Envelope Act); the resumption of labor-government negotiations; the full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees; and the guarantee of labor rights for special employment and platform workers.
After the main rally, participants marched for about 20 minutes through Sungnyemun and Hoehyeon Intersection to the protest site in front of Sejong Hotel, continuing despite a sudden downpour. Some industrial unions held separate marches. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency deployed about 230 officers to manage traffic and maintain order.
At the 2025 KCTU General Strike and All-Out Struggle March rally held near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 19th, participants are shouting slogans. Photo by Yonhap News
Before the main rally, industrial unions such as the Plant Construction Workers' Union under the Construction Industry Federation and the Service Federation held preliminary resolution meetings at various locations in downtown Seoul, urging the government to change its labor policies.
Through this general strike march, the KCTU called on the new government to listen to the voices from the labor field and to stop delaying the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act.
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