Police Chief "Strict Response to Union Rallies Disrupting Peace, Arrest Warrants if No Attendance"

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Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, expressed regret on the 18th over the large-scale 1-night-2-day downtown rally held by the Construction Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), stating that it caused inconvenience to the public and that measures to prevent recurrence will be prepared.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Commissioner Yoon said at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, "I deeply regret the great inconvenience caused to the majority of citizens due to the illegal downtown rally by the Construction Union that continued until the day before," adding, "We will strictly hold those responsible accountable and take extraordinary measures to prevent recurrence."

Earlier, the KCTU Construction Union held a large-scale 1-night-2-day overnight rally condemning the government in downtown Seoul on the 16th and 17th, causing significant inconvenience to citizens. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's 112 situation room received about 80 noise-related reports.

The police announced that they have requested the attendance of five executive members, including the Construction Union chairman, by the 25th. They also added that they will consolidate investigations into illegal acts during the KCTU resolution rally in February and the workers' rally in May. If the subjects do not comply with the attendance request, arrest warrants will be issued for their apprehension.

Commissioner Yoon stated, "Illegal rallies disguised as nighttime cultural festivals will be dispersed on-site," and "Similar rallies by groups with a history of illegal assemblies will be banned or restricted." He also said, "We will respond firmly to occupation acts on trains during commuting hours."

Commissioner Yoon declared, "We will do our best to prepare legal and institutional improvement measures against acts that seriously cause inconvenience to citizens, such as excessive noise." He added, "We will strive for the swift passage of the amendment to the Assembly and Demonstration Act, which is currently pending in the National Assembly, including restrictions on nighttime rallies and strengthened noise regulations, and will also seek regulatory measures against nighttime street group overnight stays."

Finally, Commissioner Yoon emphasized, "We will respond more strictly to illegal acts that harm citizens' freedom, safety, and daily peace in accordance with the Constitution and laws."

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