[Reporter’s Notebook] Weekend 20,000 'Sneaky Surprise Rally'... The Nuisance of Minjunochong

On the afternoon of the 13th, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) demanded a complete revision of the Labor Union Act and improvements in working conditions at the National Workers' Rally held at the Heunginjimun intersection in Dongdaemun, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Event Location: Dongdaemun Station"

At 1 PM on the 13th, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) notified its members about the event location one hour before the city rally. The 20,000 union members participating in the rally gathered at Dongdaemun Station after assembling in areas such as Jongno and Yeouido in Seoul. This sudden change of venue was made after the police deployed barricades and a large number of officers at the originally reported rally sites, including Yeouido and Gwanghwamun. As the large-scale movement of participants and police began and the roads were occupied, traffic in the areas around Dongdaemun Station, Jongno, Gwanghwamun, and other parts of the city center was virtually paralyzed.

The KCTU also failed to properly follow the promised COVID-19 prevention guidelines during the rally. Although the KCTU had announced that the rally would be held with 499 people spaced 70 meters apart, 20,000 people were densely packed near Dongdaemun Station. Amid rising deaths and severe COVID-19 cases following the transition to the "With Corona" policy, public opinion toward the KCTU’s decision to hold a large-scale weekend rally is unfavorable. Immediately after the rally ended, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched an investigation into the organizers and key participants. The "October 20 Illegal Rally Investigation Headquarters," which had been operating with 67 officers, was expanded to 75 officers by adding the police station responsible for the rally. The Seoul Metropolitan Government also filed a complaint with the police against all rally participants for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

The KCTU also held a general strike on the 20th of last month. At that time, when the police blockade became stronger, the rally location was hastily changed from Gwanghwamun to Seodaemun Station. As a result, vehicles had to take a large detour around Seodaemun Station, and buses and subways passed nearby stops and stations without stopping. Small business owners who lost afternoon sales expressed strong dissatisfaction. This rally was no different. When the KCTU abruptly changes rally locations like this, more citizens suffer from traffic congestion and business losses. The freedom of assembly and demonstration is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and granted to everyone. It must be exercised legally and in harmony with public safety and other fundamental rights.

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