Democratic Labor Union Rally Ends in Physical Clashes... 4 Police Officers Arrested Over Surprise Memorial Installation

Traffic Congestion Across Downtown Due to 20,000-Person Rally
No Physical Clashes Reported So Far

On the 31st, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a large-scale rally in downtown Seoul, causing traffic congestion in various parts of the city, including Sejong-daero. The KCTU suddenly set up a memorial altar, which was forcibly removed by the police after a standoff lasting about 40 minutes. During the forced removal, four union members were arrested by the police on charges of obstructing official duties.

On the 31st, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held an all-out struggle rally in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, demanding an end to labor oppression and the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

At around 6:30 p.m., when the memorial altar was set up, the police announced that the installation had not been authorized in advance and warned of administrative enforcement before proceeding with the forced removal. The KCTU protested, repeatedly emphasizing that the removal should not take place. During this process, the police arrested four union members on the spot for obstructing official duties.

Earlier, at 4 p.m., the KCTU held a warning strike rally near Daehanmun in Jongno-gu, Seoul, demanding an apology for the self-immolation incident involving construction union official Yang Hoe-dong and calling for an end to union suppression.

The KCTU had originally reported that the rally would last until 5 p.m. As the rally extended, the police broadcast a warning at around 5:12 p.m., stating, "The rally time has passed, so from now on it will be considered an illegal assembly and legal procedures will be initiated." The rally ended voluntarily around 5:22 p.m. During the rally, 4 to 5 lanes of the Sejong-daero section from Daehanmun to Donghwa Duty Free Shop were controlled.

Although some participants had minor scuffles, such as removing police fences during movement, the situation did not escalate into physical clashes.

On the 31st, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a full-scale struggle rally in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, demanding an end to labor oppression and the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

After finishing the rally by 8 p.m., march to 'Police Agency'... Possibility of clashes remains

The KCTU will gather again near Cheonggyecheon from 7 p.m. for a nighttime rally. About 1,800 members from the KCTU Public Officials Union, Media Union, and Construction Union will participate. They plan to finish the rally by 8 p.m. and then march to the front of the National Police Agency.

Earlier, the KCTU held preliminary rallies at three locations in downtown Seoul at 2 p.m. and then gathered at Daehanmun at 4 p.m.

Due to the large-scale rally and ongoing road controls, vehicle speeds in downtown Seoul dropped to 11.4 km/h at 5 p.m.

However, the possibility of clashes cannot be ruled out. The Joint Action of Labor, Civic, Social, Religious, and Cultural Organizations for Martyr Yang Hoe-dong’s Struggle will hold a cultural event in front of the Finance Center building from 7 p.m. The police are currently responding on-site, expecting about 2,000 attendees.

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