On the 4th, with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' 50,000-person rally announced... Seoul City issues 'Assembly Ban Administrative Order' measure

Democratic Labor Union members held a "General Strike Rally of the Democratic Labor Union to Stop Labor Reform, Achieve Basic Labor Rights, Abolish Irregular Employment, Reform Chaebols, Condemn the Abolition of the 10,000 Won Minimum Wage, and Crush Labor Oppression" in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on July 18 last year, fighting against the extension of the flexible working hours system and the minimum wage system. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued an administrative order banning the nationwide large-scale rally planned by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which is expected to gather 50,000 people around Yeouido Park on the 4th. The reason for this measure is the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to Seoul City on the 2nd, the KCTU rally involves a large crowd, making it practically difficult to comply with quarantine rules, and if confirmed cases occur, there is a high risk of a nationwide large-scale interregional spread as union members return to their respective regions.

Accordingly, the city urged restraint on holding the rally through media briefings and even sent a letter requesting cancellation of the rally on the 30th of last month. However, since the KCTU expressed its intention to proceed with the rally, the city took the administrative order to ban the rally.

To ensure the effectiveness of the order, the city plans to request administrative support from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for joint response. In addition, if the rally is forcibly held, thorough on-site evidence collection measures will be taken, including filing complaints and, in case confirmed cases occur, pursuing claims for damages.

Kim Tae-gyun, Director of the Seoul City Administration Bureau, said, "While we sympathize with the purpose of the rally to protect workers' rights, there is a concern that ten million citizens may be exposed to the risk of infectious disease spread," and added, "With only two days left until the rally, we request a wise decision such as canceling the rally."

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