Growing Discontent Over Continued Quarantine Measures...Self-Employed Say "We Will Hold Gatherings Without Capacity Limits"

A Rally Scheduled at Gwanghwamun Square on the 15th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] As COVID-19 quarantine measures have been prolonged, the dissatisfaction among self-employed individuals and small business owners is growing. Despite the restrictions on the number of people, the self-employed plan to protest the government through a general mobilization order.

On the 8th, the COVID-19 Victims Self-Employed General Federation (Koja Federation) announced that it will hold a rally condemning the government's social distancing policy near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 15th. Koja Federation is a civic organization consisting of self-employed groups such as the Korea Food Service Central Association, Korea Rest Food Service Central Association, Korea Danranjumeop Central Association, and Korea Entertainment Food Service Central Association.

This rally is expected to gather as many people as possible without restrictions on the number of participants. Until now, rallies have been held with fewer than 299 people according to government guidelines, but there is a need to raise a louder voice. Oh Ho-seok, co-representative of Koja Federation, said, "We have literally issued a general mobilization order," adding, "Although there will be police interference, as many people as possible will gather to protest the government’s policy."

Previously, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the National Railroad Union held large-scale rallies despite restrictions on the number of participants. However, Koja Federation has held rallies within the designated number of people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, the government has implemented various measures to recover the damages suffered by self-employed individuals due to COVID-19, but the self-employed still consider them insufficient. The day before, the supplementary budget bill, which raised the second quarantine support fund from 3 million KRW to 10 million KRW per business and increased the loss compensation correction rate from 80% to 100%, passed the National Assembly standing committee. Additionally, medium-sized enterprises with annual sales under 10 billion KRW, including facilities subject to personnel restrictions such as restaurants and cafes, were included in the loss compensation targets.

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