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Mar. 19  2024
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Christian's Photo Column 

People's rally, smaller in scale but more slogans heard

The recent people's rally that was held on the 15th embraced more voices of the various segments in the Korean society including the matter on the FTA, massive lay-offs and crticism on the U.S. for its retaliation.

Source  :  Lee


By Lee Min-a/ BASE21 Correspondent
(joli803@freechal.com)


Sep. 15th = Popular movement opposing the "Free trade agreements between Korea and Chile" and "Lay-offs influenced by neo-liberalism" were seen again by the citizens of Seoul. The rally, a third one this year, was sponsored by Minjoong Yondae, a nationwide activist group meaning "people in solidarity".

On September 15, 1,500 people filled up the Marronnier Park at Daehangno upholding several slogans that representing different sectors of the society. Participating in the rally were students, farmers, and workers representing low-income bracket, various segments of our society.


"After the IMF crisis hit Korea, the Kim administration has forcefully privatized industries, slashing their workforce according to the global trend of neo-liberalism," said Huh Young-ku, director of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). "This people's rally will provide an opportunity for all classes in our society to come together as one to fight for our rights."


There were chants accentuating the need to make contract workers to become regular employees enjoying a better working environment, fortifying public health care, regulating gangsters hired by district offices or corporations to rid of street vendors, and abolishing the National Security Law.


The rally continued in the streets when the crowd started a peace march following the assembly at the Marronier Park. The march was planned to continue until people reached the Myongdong Cathedral but was deterred by the police lined up blocking the marchers. The protesters had to stop midway and held another sit-in protest in front of the Office of National Tax Administration at around 6 in the evening.


This particular rally was smaller than the previous ones, but it was significant in the sense that identical rallies were held in 5 different regions in the country simultaneously.
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