[Column] The Contradiction of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Persisting with Urban Demonstrations

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the 3rd, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) forcibly held a rally in downtown Seoul, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was 794. The previous day recorded 826 cases. The number of confirmed cases exceeding 800 was the first time in six months since January 7 of this year (869 cases), when the 'third wave' of the pandemic peaked and began to decline. The rally was held unexpectedly amid the spread of the 'Delta variant,' which has higher transmissibility and lethality than the original COVID-19 virus.

The government and police continuously urged the KCTU to refrain from holding large-scale rallies, due to concerns that it could cause serious quarantine issues during the COVID-19 spread phase. On the 2nd, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum visited the KCTU with Director Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to request restraint, but was turned away at the door. He was forced to leave after facing fierce protests from union members without even entering the office.

The rally was ultimately carried out. When the police installed barricades and deployed officers at major gathering points such as Yeouido and Gwanghwamun to block the rally at its source, the union suddenly changed the location to Jongno. Around 2 p.m. on the 3rd, about 8,000 union members marched toward the Jongno Tower Building, shouting slogans and singing protest songs. Then, around 2:40 p.m., they held a nationwide workers' rally occupying 4 to 6 lanes of traffic from the Jongno 2-ga intersection to the Jongno 3-ga intersection. Although masks were worn, social distancing was completely absent. The host even asked the crowd to spread out, saying, "You are standing too close together."

The KCTU argues that raising the minimum wage and abolishing irregular employment are more important than quarantine rules. However, it is questionable how persuasive these claims can be to the public during a national crisis. More than 2,000 of our family members and neighbors have already lost their lives due to COVID-19. The police have formed a special investigation unit to begin probing violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and other charges. They must be held accountable accordingly.

Watching this rally by the KCTU brings to mind a similar scene. On August 15 last year, about 10,000 so-called 'Taegukgi Unit' members forcibly held a large-scale Liberation Day rally in Gwanghwamun. The aftermath is well known. Nearly a year later, although the organizers were different, the same scene was repeated. It seems that extremes do indeed meet.

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