Progressive Groups Including Minju-nochong to Hold Weekend Mass Rally... Likely to Conduct Surprise Outdoor Assembly

Representatives of the National People's Action, composed of workers, farmers, and the underprivileged from various sectors including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press conference on the 12th of last month in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the successful organization of the People's General Uprising. They plan to hold a large-scale "People's General Uprising" in downtown Seoul on the 15th, demanding the eradication of inequality and the entrenched two-party system, as well as the guarantee of freedom of assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Progressive organizations, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), are expected to hold surprise rallies in downtown areas despite the authorities' ban on assemblies. The police have decided to respond strictly to illegal activities, and physical clashes are anticipated if enforcement is carried out.

The National People's Action, composed of progressive groups, initially planned to hold the People's General Rally indoors at a sports facility, but received a final notice from the Seoul Metropolitan Government that holding the event at locations such as Jamsil Sports Complex and Jangchung Gymnasium is impossible under current quarantine guidelines. According to the current quarantine rules, events with more than 300 people require approval from the relevant authorities. Events and assemblies with more than 50 people are allowed up to 299 participants if all are fully vaccinated. If the number exceeds 300, approval from the local government and related authorities is necessary.

A representative of the People's Action stated, "We plan to hold the People's General Rally as scheduled at 2 p.m. on the 15th," adding, "The rally location will be flexible depending on the situation on the day." Accordingly, the People's General Rally is expected to be held suddenly in downtown Seoul, similar to last year's large-scale rally by the KCTU. Last year, the KCTU unexpectedly held rallies in Jongno, Seodaemun Station, and Dongdaemun Station areas without notifying the authorities. The currently registered rally size is about 8,000 people. The People's General Rally, held annually, has seen tens of thousands of participants from across the country.

The National People's Action has announced since last year its intention to hold the People's General Rally in Seoul. The rally slogan is "Overturn Inequality! End the Entrenched Two-Party System! Open the Way to an Independent and Equal Society!" With the March presidential election approaching, their goal is to highlight labor and progressive political issues. The National People's Action has announced the rally with demands including ▲strengthening public services such as housing, healthcare, and education ▲abolishing irregular employment and fully applying the Labor Standards Act ▲enacting anti-discrimination laws and abolishing the National Security Law ▲permanent suspension of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, and opposition to the deployment of THAAD and strategic weapons.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "We will operate temporary checkpoints mainly in downtown Seoul to block vehicles aiming to participate in the rally. Traffic congestion is expected," adding, "We will strongly respond to illegal acts, including arresting offenders on the spot, and the executive committee leading the illegal rally will be subject to legal action."

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