Major Rallies Expected to Draw 100,000 Participants in Seoul
Up to 100,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Seoul on Saturday, the 8th, as several major rallies organized by different groups are set to take place across the city center. These events include the “National Workers’ Rally to Inherit the Spirit of Taeil Martyrs” and the “2025 FKTU National Workers’ Rally,” among others. The gatherings are anticipated to cause significant traffic congestion on key roads such as Jangchungdan Road, Yeouido Expressway, and Sejong-daero.
Key Events and Locations
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will hold the “National Workers’ Rally to Inherit the Spirit of Taeil Martyrs” starting at 3 p.m. near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) intersection on Jangchungdan Road. This event will take place between the DDP Intersection and Heunginjimun Intersection. Following the rally, participants will march toward the Sejong Hotel and the Seoul Regional Labor Office.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) will host the “2025 FKTU National Workers’ Rally” from 2 p.m. along Yeouido Expressway, from the Mapo Bridge South End to Seoul Bridge. Both KCTU and FKTU have reported a combined total of 100,000 participants, with each union expecting around 50,000 attendees.
In addition to these labor unions, the Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, will hold a rally from 1 p.m. along the Donghwa Duty Free Shop–Seoul Metropolitan Council section in Jongno-gu. The group has also reported approximately 50,000 participants. Meanwhile, the Korean Buddhist Taego Order will conduct a Buddhist ceremony for 6,000 people starting at 1 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square North and along Sejong-daero.
Traffic Control Measures
Due to the large number of participants, major roads including Sejong-daero, Jangchungdan Road, and Yeouido Expressway will face traffic controls for stage setups and marches. To manage the congestion, police plan to deploy approximately 330 traffic officers and operate variable lanes on the opposite sides of Sejong-daero, Jangchungdan Road, and Yeouido Expressway.
Vehicles will also be restricted on Euljiro from the DDP Intersection to the Euljiro Entrance Intersection, with detours directed toward Toegyero. These measures aim to ensure smoother movement of traffic during the events.
Recommendations for Travelers
A police official urged the public, “As traffic congestion is expected on major downtown roads, please use public transportation whenever possible. If driving is unavoidable, check real-time traffic information.” This advice is particularly important for those planning to travel through the city center on the day of the rallies.
Summary of Key Details
- KCTU Rally:
- Event: “National Workers’ Rally to Inherit the Spirit of Taeil Martyrs”
- Time: 3 p.m.
- Location: Near DDP intersection on Jangchungdan Road
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Route: March toward Sejong Hotel and Seoul Regional Labor Office
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FKTU Rally:
- Event: “2025 FKTU National Workers’ Rally”
- Time: 2 p.m.
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Location: Along Yeouido Expressway (Mapo Bridge South End–Seoul Bridge)
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Liberty Unification Party Rally:
- Event: Rally led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon
- Time: 1 p.m.
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Location: Donghwa Duty Free Shop–Seoul Metropolitan Council section in Jongno-gu
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Korean Buddhist Taego Order Ceremony:
- Event: Buddhist ceremony
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Location: Gwanghwamun Square North and along Sejong-daero
Conclusion
With the large-scale gatherings expected in Seoul, residents and visitors are advised to plan their travel accordingly. The combination of multiple rallies and the associated traffic control measures highlights the need for careful navigation of the city’s central areas. Authorities are working to minimize disruptions while ensuring the safety and smooth flow of traffic.