'Illegal Minnochoong Rally'... Police, "Strict Investigation" · Citizens, "Compensation Lawsuit"

Wonju City Takes Legal Action Against Minnochoong for 'Violation of Infectious Disease Prevention Act'
Citizen Lawsuit Group to Be Formed to Pursue 'Compensatory Damages Lawsuit' Against Minnochoong

Democratic Labor Union Wonju Rally [Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Amid growing public outrage over the illegal assembly held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union in Wonju on the 23rd despite the ban on large-scale gatherings due to the escalation of social distancing measures, the police have announced a strict investigation policy.

According to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, an investigation team has been formed, led by the head of the investigation division of the Gangwon Police Agency, consisting of the Wonju Police Station and 17 detectives, and the investigation has commenced.

The investigation team plans to strictly investigate the organizers and key participants who forcibly held the illegal assembly, applying charges such as violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Separately from the police, the Wonju city health authorities also regard the KCTU as having violated administrative orders and plan to file charges for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and impose fines.

Additionally, there are reports that a large-scale litigation group will be formed to file lawsuits for damages alongside criminal charges against the KCTU and its executives who forcibly held the illegal assembly.

One-Person Protest Condemning the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Rally in Wonju [Yonhap News]

Earlier, the police had announced that they would respond strictly to the illegal assembly according to law and principles. When the KCTU forcibly held the illegal assembly, the police deployed over 1,600 personnel from 22 companies to operate checkpoints around the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) complex, fully controlling vehicles participating in the assembly.

Despite these police measures, dozens of union members occupied nearby roads to hold the assembly or attempted to enter the complex by crossing hills, leading to confrontations with the police.

In the Innovation City area where the NHIS is located, merchants also held one-person relay protests.

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