Police Warn of Strict Legal Action Against Illegal Assemblies During June 20th KCTU General Strike and Self-Employed Rally

On the afternoon of July 3rd, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a nationwide workers' rally while occupying the road in Jongno 3-ga, demanding a complete revision of the labor law. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The police have announced their intention to strictly prosecute any illegal assemblies that may occur in relation to the nationwide general strike planned by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on the 20th and the emergency rally organized by the Self-Employed Emergency Countermeasures Committee.

On the 12th, Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press briefing held at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Naejadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "We will respond consistently with the same standards and principles regardless of who the organizer is when dealing with assemblies and demonstrations," adding, "If illegal acts occur, we will respond firmly according to law and principles and strictly prosecute."

Regarding investigations into the late-night vehicle demonstrations and the installation of memorial altars by the Self-Employed Emergency Countermeasures Committee, he said, "There were a total of three cases related to assemblies and demonstrations concerning the self-employed; two have been concluded and settled," and "For one case related to assemblies and demonstrations, we are currently requesting attendance." He continued, "Regarding the installation of memorial altars, the investigation is ongoing at the pre-indictment stage. The memorial altar issue is still in the pre-indictment investigation phase."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued a ban on the large-scale assembly planned by the KCTU on the 20th. In response, Commissioner Choi stated, "If the assembly can be managed as a kind of dispersed event, we will conduct dispersed preventive activities, but if the number of participants is large and the concept of dispersed assembly does not apply, we plan to prepare security measures accordingly." He added, "Depending on the situation, the use of barricades and other measures will naturally be considered. The decision to use barricades or police equipment will be made according to the degree of public risk."

Despite the assembly ban notices from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the police, declarations of participation in the general strike continue to come from KCTU-affiliated and subordinate labor unions. The Public Transport Workers' Union held a press conference at the KCTU office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the same day, announcing that 100,000 union members will engage in continuous general strikes until the end of November. The School Irregular Workers' Solidarity, composed of education public service workers involved in school meals, childcare, and counseling, also announced that 83.7% of their 100,000 union members voted in favor of the strike in a recent referendum.

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