Democratic Labor Union's Surprise Rally in Downtown Seoul Under Full Investigation... Police Analyzing Evidence Data (Comprehensive)

Gathering of 8,000 in Jongno Area
Special Investigation Headquarters of 52 Members Formed
Charges Include Traffic Obstruction and Infectious Disease Control Act Violations
Organizers and Key Participants Identified for Investigation

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 Lee Gwan-ju] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) forcibly held a rally in downtown Seoul over the weekend, and the police, having formed a special investigation unit, have begun a full-scale investigation into charges including violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

According to the police on the 4th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's special investigation unit is analyzing evidence related to the recent KCTU rally and conducting investigations to identify those booked. The police plan to apply charges such as violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstruction of general traffic, and violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act against the KCTU rally organizers and key participants who forcibly held illegal assemblies and marches for extended periods around the Jongno area.

This rally was forcibly held amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19 variants such as the Delta variant, raising concerns. The police continuously requested the rally to be canceled and deployed 213 units on the day, setting up temporary checkpoints in downtown areas and on Han River bridges. Additionally, to prevent gathering, barricades were installed around Yeouido and Gwanghwamun, known rally locations, and security measures were strengthened.

In response, the KCTU changed the location and forcibly held a surprise protest and march around Jongno from about 2 p.m. the previous day. Approximately 8,000 union members marched toward the Jongno Tower Building in Jongno 2-ga, shouting slogans and singing protest songs demanding the abolition of irregular employment, suspension of restructuring, and an increase in the minimum wage. Then, around 2:40 p.m., they occupied 4 to 6 lanes of the road from the Jongno 2-ga intersection to the Jongno 3-ga intersection and held a nationwide labor rally. Most wore masks, but social distancing was not sufficiently maintained.

During this process, clashes with some police officers occurred, and one union member was detained on charges of assaulting a police officer (obstruction of official duties). After the rally ended, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency immediately formed a special investigation unit of 52 members led by the head of the investigation department and began an investigation. The police pointed out, "Despite the government's request to refrain from rallies due to the rapid spread of infectious diseases in the metropolitan area and the rally ban by Seoul City and the police, a large-scale illegal rally and march were forcibly held, occupying the Jongno 2-ga road for an extended period, causing public inconvenience."

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