The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has announced two weeks of strikes starting from Monday to call for the resignation of the nation’s President Yoon Suk-yeol, reports The Straits Times. The strikes, which are expected to involve a total 400,000 to 500,000 workers, are in protest against the president’s proposed labour reform measures and come as part of a broader pushback against perceived anti-union policies.

On Monday, approximately 3,000 workers, predominantly courier and home appliance repair personnel, ceased work to hold a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in the heart of the capital Seoul. Following this gathering, more members of the KCTU will join in the strike.

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration had proposed a plan to permit a working week of up to 69 hours, while maintaining an average maximum work week below 52 hours. But it backed away from the plan after strong opposition from labour unions  and the country's young people. Yoon Suk-yeol has taken a tough stance on illegal acts committed by labour unions as part of his wider work reforms. He has also demanded that trade unions boost their financial transparency while denouncing some construction unions' practices of receiving kickbacks and some labour unions' political campaigns.

The administration is now pursuing a plan to restrict rallies at night or during commuting hours, as well as those by organisations that have a record of illegal demonstrations.

"We are going on a general strike because we need to stop regressive labour reforms. The KCTU declares an all-out struggle against the Yoon government, and this two-week strike is the first step," KCTU chairman Yang Kyung-soo said.