Protests Erupt Nationwide on Labor Day... Police Warn "Dispersal and Legal Action if Quarantine Rules Violated"

On Labor Day, May 1st, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions are shouting slogans in front of the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] On the 1st, Labor Day, large-scale rallies organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) were held in various parts of the city.

At 2 p.m. that day, the KCTU held a press conference in front of the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, emphasizing that "the history of oppression and resistance against workers demanding a humane life and an eight-hour workday has become a symbol of 'workers' and 'workers' struggles' over time."

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, also stated in his opening speech, "Cleaning workers who received minimum wage formed labor unions but were dismissed, and the government's promises of regular employment, a 10,000 won minimum wage, and a labor-respecting society have been thoroughly broken," adding, "We must overturn this unequal world that shifts responsibility for changes in the economic order, industrial restructuring, and even the climate crisis onto workers."

Kim Gye-wol, branch chief of the Asiana KAO branch of the KCTU Public Transport Union, who spoke at the event, said, "Although it is the 131st Labor Day, dismissed workers fighting against capital on this land are still struggling and dying on the streets," and shouted, "Where is the president's promise to protect even a single job? Why must workers fight on the streets? Is this a country that respects labor and common sense?"

Gong Jeong-bae, deputy branch chief of the Eastar Jet Pilots Union, said, "We are fighting a lonely battle, feeling left alone by the government's and ruling party's complete neglect," adding, "Individually, workers are weak, but we become strong when united. We will fight to the end until all workers return to their original places as one."

On this day, the KCTU reported a total of 36 rallies. Those who did not attend the main event, which had only a small number of participants, joined a march starting at 2 p.m. from LG Twin Towers → Mapo Bridge → Gongdeok Station → Korea Employers Federation (KEF) building. Participants were divided into groups of nine heading toward the KEF building, but at one point, a scuffle broke out between some departing participants and the police.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that 621 Labor Day rallies and marches were reported at 69 locations in downtown Seoul. The police plan to enforce on-site measures to ensure that rally organizers and participants comply with quarantine rules. They also plan to respond strictly with dispersal and legal action if quarantine rules are violated.

Related rallies continued in the Gyeonggi-do area as well. Around 10 a.m., about 1,700 members of the KCTU Gyeonggi Central-West Construction Branch gathered at five locations including Ansan Station and Ansan City Hall. The members held relay press conferences demanding the eradication of illegal activities at construction sites.

At around 2 p.m., about 700 people from the Gyeonggi Headquarters, Metal Workers' Union, Public Transport Union, and civic groups held picket protests at 10 locations including Suwon Station and Shinhan Bank in Suwon City, demanding the abolition of irregular employment.

The police deployed four companies each in Ansan and Suwon to prepare for any possible clashes in the Gyeonggi-do area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.