Police: Six Organizers of the Democratic Labor Union's 'Illegal Rally' Booked... Investigation Started on 12 People

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-joo] Regarding the "surprise rally" held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) in downtown Seoul on the 3rd, the police are accelerating their investigation by booking six organizers.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing on the 5th, "We booked six rally organizers the previous day and immediately requested their appearance," adding, "We have initiated preliminary investigations on 12 others." The police explained that they confirmed criminal charges against six of these individuals.

Immediately after the KCTU rally, the police formed a special investigation headquarters consisting of 52 members, led by the head of the Seoul Police Investigation Department, to begin a full-scale investigation. This is the second time the police have established a separate investigation headquarters related to a large-scale rally since the "Liberation Day Rally" in August last year.

The police plan to apply charges such as violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstruction of general traffic, and violation 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. A police official said, "We are taking the situation seriously as the rally continued persistently by changing locations," and added, "We have booked those who appeared to bear the greatest responsibility for the illegal rally." The investigation is expected to focus on individuals who led and planned this rally.

The number of investigation targets related to the nationwide courier labor union (Courier Union) protest in Yeouido last month has increased to 31. The police have requested the appearance of 19 of them and are coordinating schedules. The remaining 12 are being identified accurately. A police official emphasized, "Since both cases were reported in Seoul, they will be consolidated," and added, "Given the serious public anxiety caused amid the metropolitan area's COVID-19 spread, we will conduct a swift and strict investigation."

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