Progressive Groups Including KCTU Hold Mass Rally, Around 15,000 Gather at Yeouido Park

The National People's Action, consisting of progressive organizations such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Progressive Party, and the National Peasants' Federation, held the "2022 People's General Rally" at 2 p.m. on the 15th at Yeouido Culture Square (Yeouido Park) in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The National People's Action, a coalition of progressive organizations including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Progressive Party, and the National Peasants' Federation, held the "2022 People's General Rally" at 2 p.m. on the 15th at Yeouido Culture Square (Yeouido Park) in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

On this day, the National People's Action stated, "We had hoped for the Moon Jae-in administration, which declared itself a candlelight government after clearing out deep-rooted evils at the 2016 candlelight protests, but they too betrayed our expectations," emphasizing, "We will vigorously fight to eradicate social inequality and accelerate independent, democratic, equal, and peaceful unification through fundamental social reform."

The rally began with the slogan, "Overturn inequality! End the vested two-party system! Open the era of an independent and equal society!" with an estimated 15,000 participants according to the organizers.

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said in his opening remarks, "The responsibility for us, who once held candlelight protests to oust Park Geun-hye, standing again in the square lies entirely with the government," adding, "A society that respects labor can only be said to exist when all workers are protected by law and anyone who is a worker is guaranteed the right to form a labor union."

Park Heung-sik, chairman of the National Peasants' Federation, raised his voice, saying, "The current government is pushing neoliberal agricultural liberalization to farmers who have nowhere left to retreat until the end of its term," and warned, "If the Moon administration ultimately declares joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), farmers will deliver a stern judgment."

The National People's Action demands the government to ▲ transition to an equal society by strengthening public housing, healthcare, education, and care services ▲ abolish irregular employment and apply the Labor Standards Act to all workers ▲ oppose participation in the CPTPP ▲ enact anti-discrimination laws and abolish the National Security Law ▲ permanently suspend joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

The police operated temporary checkpoints in the city center and deployed a total of 136 companies to manage the rally. At the rally site, the police repeatedly broadcast warnings to the organizers to stop the unreported illegal assembly and immediately disperse in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Assembly and Demonstration Act. No physical clashes occurred between the police and participants.

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police had banned all reported assemblies related to the People's General Rally.

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