General Union Condemns Excessive Police Suppression After Physical Clashes at Rally

The Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the General Union of Democratic General Federation condemned the clash that occurred during the rally the previous day.

On the morning of the 25th, the KCTU Gyeongnam General Union held a press conference in front of the entrance to Changwon City Hall, demanding, "Changwon City and the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency must apologize for violently suppressing the legitimate demands and legal industrial actions of workers."

They claimed, "As we were entering the plaza in front of City Hall to conclude our all-out struggle rally for victory in wage and collective bargaining negotiations the previous afternoon, the police blocked our way and used violence against us."

The Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the General Union of the Democratic General Federation are holding a press conference condemning the clash between the police and the union that occurred at the rally the previous day.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They added, "City Hall is our workplace, and we were engaging in a legally recognized industrial action, so there is no problem with entering the plaza in front of City Hall. It is incomprehensible that we were prevented from entering a legally reported assembly and even subjected to violence."

They emphasized, "We had no intention of entering the building or blocking vehicle access. Due to the excessive response from the police, many union members, including Chairman Kang Donghwa and the head of the KCTU Gyeongnam branch, were injured. Changwon City and the police must take responsibility."

Kim Eunhyeong, head of the KCTU Gyeongnam branch, said, "I am unable to use my right hand today," and added, "The police officers who violently suppressed us yesterday know this fact."

He further protested, "How can the police violently suppress a legal assembly of workers and press the neck of the rally's organizing chair with their knee?"

Kang Donghwa, chairman of the General Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters, condemns the clash with the police that occurred during the rally the day before.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Chairman Kang stated, "I am not protesting because I am personally aggrieved by the violence. What is truly infuriating is that the legitimate union activities and struggles of workers are being trampled by those who have nothing to do with our cause," directing strong criticism at the police as he did the previous day.

He said, "The mayor of Changwon must take responsibility for this matter. Our union will conduct discussions among members to prepare for even stronger action."

They demanded sincere answers and negotiations regarding wage increases, improvement of working conditions, and the handling of unfair labor practices by contractors responsible for the collection and transportation of municipal solid waste.

Union officials are shaving their heads to urge improvements in worker treatment, including wage collective bargaining, at a rally held by the General Labor Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

The previous day, the union held a press conference in front of the flower bed at City Hall, urging the termination of contracts with contractors responsible for municipal solid waste collection and transportation, accusing them of unfair labor practices and encouraging violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

Afterward, the union continued with a rally for victory in wage and collective bargaining negotiations in front of the statue of General Choi Yoondeok next to City Hall, demanding wage increases.

For the final part of the rally, including a head-shaving ceremony by union executives, the union marched to the plaza in front of City Hall and entered the area in front of the entrance.

At this point, security guards and police officers blocked their way, leading to a major clash. The confrontation ended only after Chairman Kang and a police officer fell to the ground.

A person who collapsed during a clash between the police and the union at a rally organized by the General Labor Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters is lying on the ground.
Photo by Lee Seryung

The union claims that during this process, Chairman Kang's neck was pressed by a police officer's knee.

According to a police official, the officer in question was injured after his ankle was forcibly twisted by a union member.

After the physical altercation, the union reorganized and concluded the final rally in the plaza in front of City Hall.

At the final rally, 12 union executives shaved their heads, urging Changwon City to make greater efforts to negotiate improvements in wages and working conditions for workers.

Regarding the clash, a police official explained, "Although the reported location of the rally was on the roadside in front of the City Hall flower bed, the participants suddenly moved outside the designated area, leaving us no choice but to intervene. Since the number of security guards was insufficient to block all the union members, the police were deployed to protect the building and prevent a possible second clash."

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