Major labor unions hold large rallies in downtown Seoul on Labor Day, urging protection of workers' rights

[Financial News] On Labor Day, the 1st, labor groups held large rallies across downtown Seoul, calling for stronger workers' rights and institutional reforms.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held the May Day Rally in the Gwanghwamun area of Jongno District at 3 p.m. and demanded recognition of special-category workers as employees, as well as guaranteed bargaining rights with prime contractors.
KCTU members took to the rally carrying placards reading "Guarantee basic labor rights" and "Social overhaul."
In a resolution, KCTU said that "the constitutional three basic labor rights, the Labor Standards Act, and the Trade Union Act are not properly guaranteed for more than 10 million non-regular workers, including fixed-term workers, special-category and platform workers, and subcontracted workers." It added, "Through an all-out, organization-wide struggle, we will make the July general strike happen and win bargaining rights with prime contractors."
The main rally drew an estimated 10,000 participants, according to organizers, and about 8,000 according to police. Industry unions in metals, media, and construction held pre-rallies around Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jonggak Station, and Anguk before joining the main event.
After the rally, participants marched along a roughly 2.6-kilometer route from Jonggak Station to Gwanghwamun, passing Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, the Bank of Korea, and City Hall Station.
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The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) also held a national workers' rally in the Yeouido area at 2 p.m. the same day, calling for an extension of the retirement age and stronger protection of labor rights.
Attendees chanted slogans such as "Extend the retirement age to 65" and "Prevent labor rights violations caused by the introduction of AI." Jung Won-oh, a candidate for Seoul mayor from the Democratic Party of Korea, and Choo Mi-ae, a candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province, were also present.
Police said they would deploy only the minimum necessary personnel while responding firmly to any illegal acts. In line with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's ongoing "redesign of rallies and demonstrations" policy, a minimal number of riot police were assigned to support order maintenance and traffic control. However, the agency said it would respond strictly to any illegal activity in accordance with the law and principle.
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Labor Day rallies were also held across the country outside Seoul. The KCTU Jeonbuk Regional Branch held a May Day Rally starting at 2 p.m. around the Jeonbuk Provincial Office in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. The group called for recognition of special-category workers as employees, full basic labor rights for all workers, stronger labor-friendly awareness among local governments, application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, and an end to discrimination against non-regular workers.
At around 3 p.m. in front of the Jinju Logistics Center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, a rally hosted by the KCTU, Gyeongsangnam-do Regional Council was held. Participants read a resolution calling for the protection of basic labor rights. About 2,500 people attended, according to organizers.
In front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency in Changwon, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union held a separate news conference and demanded that police make a responsible statement regarding the fatal accident. In Ulsan, a Labor Day rally hosted by the Ulsan Regional Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions was held from 2 p.m. around the south gate of City Hall, drawing about 2,300 people who called for expanded labor rights.
In Gangwon Province, the KCTU Gangwon Regional Branch held a flower-laying ceremony in front of the Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Court to mark the third anniversary of the death of the late Yang Hoe-dong, a construction union official who died after self-immolation while protesting union suppression.
 
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banaffle@fnnews.com Yoon Hong-jip Reporter