노동이 존중 받는 사회를 위한 다양한 근로자의 날 행사열려
President Moon Jae-in, marking International Labor Day today, has said he wants to build a nation where labor can be respected.
Also today, various events, as well as protests, took place in Korea... to promote workers' rights.
Lee Min-sun starts us off tonight. May 1st is International Labor Day... a day created to celebrate workers and promote their rights.
To mark the day, President Moon Jae-in sent out a message on Facebook saying he hopes to make Korea a country where people can have pride in labor.
The president said he wants to see people fulfill their dreams through labor,...and build a country where labor can be respected.
The president also said that labor had led Korea's development... and highlighted how government policies were geared toward improving labor conditions. He asked the laborers to seek respect through coexistence with businesses rather than the past ways of seeking respect through struggles and resistance.
Two major labor union groups also held events to mark the day.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions held a demonstration at Seoul Plaza in the afternoon attended by some 27-thousand people. This year's slogans asked companies to fully abide by International Labour Organization agreements and called for the abolition of the Chaebol structure where the ruling families have full control over conglomerates' businesses.
The Federation of Korea Trade Unions held an annual Labor Day Marathon in the morning. Some 10-thousand workers, families and migrant workers participated in the marathon which started at the Culture Square in Yeouido.
Lee Min-sun, Arirang News.
