"Really Too Much" 8,000 Minnocho Members Stage Surprise Protest... Citizens Frustrated Over COVID Anxiety

Location Changed from Yeouido to Jongno... March in the Rain
Wore Masks but Failed Social Distancing
Nationwide COVID-19 Community Transmission Continues to Spread

On the afternoon of the 3rd, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions occupied the road at Jongno 3-ga, holding a nationwide workers' rally demanding a complete revision of the labor law. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I think this is really too much." , "Shouldn't we wait until the COVID-19 situation calms down before doing this?"

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) defied attempts by the Seoul city government and police to block their gathering and carried out a surprise protest and march for about two hours in the heart of Seoul on the 3rd. Citizens expressed concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and reacted with disbelief.

While assembly is a right guaranteed by the constitution, there is criticism about whether it was necessary to hold a rally amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. This is the first large-scale rally since the spread of COVID-19 last year.

KCTU members gathered near Jongno 3-ga Station from 2 p.m. and held a rally. The organizers estimated that about 8,000 union members participated. The members took out hats, red headbands, and vests from their bags, held placards, and began marching around 2 p.m. toward Jongno Tower Building in Jongno 2-ga.

They shouted slogans such as "Abolish irregular employment," "Stop restructuring," and "Raise the minimum wage." They also sang popular protest songs like "March for the Beloved." Most wore masks, but social distancing was not adequately maintained. It was easy to see them standing closely packed together.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Director Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency are talking in front of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. On that day, Prime Minister Kim, unable to enter the KCTU office, requested restraint from holding large-scale rallies over the weekend considering the critical moment at the crossroads of COVID-19 spread, and then left.
/Photo by Joint Press Corps

They ended the rally around 3:15 p.m. and marched toward Jongno 5-ga. After marching about 500 meters, they reached the intersection at Jongno 4-ga and then the Baeogae Bridge near Euljiro 4-ga Station by Cheonggyecheon Stream. The members concluded the rally around 3:44 p.m. by singing a strike song.

The problem is the concern over the spread of COVID-19. On August 15 last year, Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church attended a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul with some followers and made critical remarks against the quarantine authorities and the current government.

At that rally, he said, "I am perfectly fine now. I have no fever or any symptoms." However, he was confirmed positive two days later.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of noon on the 18th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church increased to 457 after the rally.

Given this situation, citizens' views on today's KCTU rally are cold. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, pointed out, "COVID-19 is spreading again these days, and there are also variant viruses. I think this is a reckless act." Another office worker in his 30s, Park, said, "I wonder if this violates quarantine rules," and raised his voice, "Please endure a little during the COVID-19 crisis."

As citizens expressed concerns, the quarantine authorities also urged restraint on gatherings during last year's 'Liberation Day rally.'

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said in a briefing, "Infections originating from religious activity gatherings have led to secondary infections in various places including call centers, daycare centers, and nursing hospitals, including non-metropolitan areas, creating a chain of transmission with a high risk of nth transmission," adding, "If we do not control the current outbreak immediately, the number of confirmed cases will increase exponentially and uncontrollably, leading to the collapse of the medical system and enormous economic damage."

On the afternoon of August 15 last year, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 spread intensifies, clusters of infections are occurring across the country. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 3rd, new cluster outbreaks linked to high schools, clubs, and pubs have been confirmed.

The number of confirmed cases related to a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and eight English academies in the metropolitan area increased by 43 in one day, reaching a total of 291.

Regarding the Mapo-gu restaurant, a total of 59 people tested positive. The number of infected persons by English academy is 82 at an academy in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province; 34 at an academy in Bucheon; 46 at an academy in Goyang; 36 at an academy in Uijeongbu; 6 at another academy in Uijeongbu; 1 at an academy in Namyangju; and 8 at an academy in Incheon. During contact tracing, 18 related confirmed cases were also identified at another academy in Seongnam.

At a high school in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, since the first confirmed case on the 27th of last month, a total of 22 students and family members have tested positive. Also, related to a club in Jung-gu, Daegu, six people?three employees and three users?tested positive since the 1st of this month. At a pub and club in Busan, eight users and employees have tested positive since the 29th of last month.

Additionally, eight more cases were added related to an indoor sports facility in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, bringing the total to 44 confirmed cases. Six more cases were added at a pub and indoor sports facility in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, bringing the total to 48.

At a coin karaoke in Namdong-gu, Incheon, three more cases were added during contact tracing, totaling 13. Additional infection cases were reported among fishery workers in Busan (total 75), an elementary school in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (17), a social gathering in Chuncheon (13), and family and workplace clusters in Namwon, Jeonbuk Province (10).

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