Corona cases rising by 700 daily... Korean Confederation of Trade Unions holding rallies in downtown Seoul

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Jeongyun Lee] As the spread of COVID-19 extends to the Seoul metropolitan area, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced that it will proceed with a large-scale rally with about 10,000 participants in downtown Seoul on the 3rd.

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, held a press conference at the KCTU office in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 1st, stating, "Although there is talk of returning to normal life after COVID-19, cries of workers and the public continue unabated throughout the streets. The government and President Moon Jae-in remain silent to these appeals and cries." He added, "The KCTU will hold a nationwide workers' rally in Seoul on the 3rd to convey this reality and urge for countermeasures."

The KCTU claimed that local governments and the police are applying strict standards to the rally. The KCTU stated, "While sports viewing, outdoor concerts, and indoor performances are permitted and restrictions on private gatherings are lifted, rallies are uniquely singled out and strictly regulated."

On the morning of the 16th of last month, members of the National Courier Workers' Union held a rally at Yeouido Park in Seoul, urging measures to prevent death from overwork and the implementation of social agreements.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The police and Seoul city have established a strict response and judicial action policy regarding this rally. The KCTU and its affiliated organizations have reported a total of 97 rallies and marches in downtown Seoul, including Yeouido. The total number of participants reported is 873, with 9 people per event. The police and Seoul city anticipate more participants than reported and have recently issued prohibition notices for all rallies and marches reported by the KCTU. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated, "In accordance with the rally ban, we will deploy as many officers as possible to respond to illegal rallies," adding, "If the rally is forcibly held, we can block and forcibly disperse it."

Since COVID-19 cases have recently emerged from rallies, health authorities are closely monitoring this upcoming event. The KCTU-affiliated National Delivery Workers' Union held a 2-day rally with about 3,500 participants in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th and 16th of last month. Among the participants, 2 confirmed cases were reported. The police pointed out that "this could lead to nationwide spread of COVID-19 through union members who traveled from across the country."

Health experts also express concerns about large-scale rallies amid the clear spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "There are likely far more variant viruses infiltrating the metropolitan area than the government expects," adding, "(Given the current COVID-19 spread) it is a situation where it is difficult for people to gather, whether for rallies or meetings." She emphasized, "It is nearly impossible for all participants in a large-scale rally to fully comply with quarantine guidelines," and stated, "If confirmed cases arise from rallies, health authorities should strongly regulate, including claiming damages from organizers."

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