6000 Members of Minjunochong Hold 'Illegal Rally'... Police Repeatedly Issued Dispersal Orders, No Clashes Occurred (Comprehensive)

"Guarantee of Labor Rights, Safe Workplaces Guaranteed"
Minju No Chong "Yoon Prioritizes Corporate Profits"
Police "Clear Illegal Acts, Punishment Inevitable Later"

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungseon Gong, Sehee Jang] Approximately 6,000 people gathered at the rally held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) at Jongmyo Park. Initially, it was expected that about 10,000 people would gather, but the actual number was lower than that.

On the 13th, around 3 p.m., the KCTU held the "Rally for Labor Rights Without Discrimination and the Pursuit of Quality Jobs" at Jongmyo Park in Seoul, condemning the labor reform policies announced by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and demanding dialogue with the transition committee. The organizers estimated the attendance at 6,000 people.

The KCTU changed the time and location of the rally on that day. Originally, the KCTU had notified authorities of plans to hold rallies at 60 locations in downtown Seoul, including in front of the Presidential Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Gwanghwamun Square, and Yeouido, but the rally was held at Jongmyo Park, which was not a notified location. The Metal Workers' Union under the KCTU gathered near Jongmyo Park at Jongno 3-ga in Seoul from around 1:35 p.m. From 2 p.m., union members scattered throughout the city also assembled at Jongmyo Park.

"Guarantee Labor Rights, Ensure Safe Workplaces"... KCTU Says "Yoon Pursues Corporate Profits"

The KCTU held the "Rally for Labor Rights Without Discrimination and the Pursuit of Quality Jobs," demanding guarantees of labor rights without discrimination, safe workplaces, quality jobs, opposition to selective working systems, opposition to differential application of minimum wage, and the eradication of inequality and polarization.

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said at the rally, "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and others ignore workers and pursue corporate profits," adding, "We will fight against the vested interests in this country who are hostile only to the KCTU." He further stated, "The KCTU is an organization that fights. If President-elect Yoon joins hands with conglomerates, we will join hands with 25 million workers."

Police Repeatedly Issue 'Dispersal Orders'... Criticized for Lukewarm Response

On that day, the police deployed 8,500 officers from 134 units, including riot police, to respond to the rally. They were especially concentrated around Tongui-dong, where the Presidential Transition Committee is located, as well as Naeja and Jeokseon-dong areas, Sejong-daero, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggye Plaza.

Despite the KCTU's illegal rally, the police only repeatedly issued dispersal orders, allowing the illegal rally to continue. There were no physical clashes between the two sides during this process.

The police issued the first dispersal order to the Metal Workers' Union around 2:30 p.m., followed by second and third orders at intervals of about 10 minutes. At 3:27 p.m., the police requested voluntary dispersal from the KCTU, which continued the rally, prompting the police to issue another dispersal order. However, since the police did not proceed with forced dispersal, the KCTU concluded the rally by singing the "KCTU Song."

According to Article 17 of the Enforcement Decree of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, if a gathering is judged illegal, the police must first declare the end of the assembly and request voluntary dispersal. If this is not followed, they may issue at least three additional voluntary dispersal orders, and if the assembly still does not disperse, forced dispersal can be carried out. Failure to comply with dispersal orders can result in imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 500,000 won.

The National Peasants' Federation, a farmers' organization, also held a large-scale rally with about 5,000 participants at Yeouido Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. They expressed opposition to the government's free trade agreement participation and criticized government agricultural policies.

Possibility of KCTU Punishment... Police Emphasize 'Strict Investigation'

The police stated their intention to actively investigate the KCTU for forcibly holding an illegal rally.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that it has launched an investigation into the organizers and key participants of the KCTU and the National Peasants' Federation for violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. The police said, "We will promptly summon those responsible for illegal acts and conduct a strict investigation through analysis of evidence materials."

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is also reported to have emphasized swift and strict investigations during the government transition period.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Yeongdeungpo-gu delivered notices banning the rally to the organizers, citing violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act due to exceeding the permitted number of participants, and plan to review whether to file charges using evidence materials later. Earlier, the Seoul Administrative Court allowed the rally to be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on one southbound lane of the Gyeongbokgung Palace National Museum, with attendance limited to 299 people including organizers.

Meanwhile, the KCTU's industrial unions have declared a struggle against the government and announced plans for a general strike in July.

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