Umbrella labor union holds street rally despite virus concerns

South Korea's major umbrella labor union pressed ahead with a massive street rally Saturday in central Seoul despite the government's warning of a stern response.

Around 8,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions gathered in the Jongno district, ignoring the government's call to cancel the assembly feared to affect the fight against COVID-19. The country is struggling to contain a resurgence of coronavirus cases.

They had planned to hold it in the western Seoul area of Yeouido. But they changed the venue just ahead of the rally, as police blocked KCTU members' entry into Yeouido.

They marched down the Jongno street starting at around 2 p.m., demanding a revision to the labor act. They are calling for the abolition of non-regular employment, halts to job cuts, hikes in minimum wages and measures to prevent industrial accidents.

Most of the participants wore masks but they stayed close to one another during the march.

There has been no report yet of any physical clash between the protesters and the police.

On Friday, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum issued a statement urging the KCTU to cancel the rally, saying the nation's antivirus efforts are in a grave crisis. (Yonhap)