Umbrella union holds street rally despite virus concerns
South Korea's major umbrella union pressed ahead with a massive street rally in central Seoul, Saturday, despite the government's warning of a stern response. Yonhap
South Korea's major umbrella union pressed ahead with a massive street rally in central Seoul, Saturday, despite the government's warning of a stern response.
Around 8,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) gathered in the Jongno District, ignoring the government's call to cancel the gathering as it could affect the fight against COVID-19. The country is currently struggling to contain a resurgence of coronavirus cases.
The union had planned to hold the rally in the western Seoul area of Yeouido; but it changed the venue just ahead of the rally after police blocked KCTU members' entry to Yeouido.
Union members marched down Jongno Street starting around 2 p.m., demanding a revision to the Labor Act. They are calling for the abolition of non-regular employment, halts to job cuts, a hike in the minimum wage and measures to prevent industrial accidents.
During the rally that lasted about two hours, Yang Kyung-soo, head of the KCTU, said, "We have gathered here to protect the lives and safe employment of workers."
He stressed the need to address the issues "with the labor power and fury," and to no longer tolerate inequality and polarization.
Most of the participants wore masks but they stayed close to one another during the march.
There were no major physical clashes between the protesters and police.
On Friday, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum issued a statement urging the KCTU to cancel the rally, saying the nation's antivirus efforts were facing a grave crisis. (Yonhap)