Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Construction Industry Federation National Construction Workers' Union march from Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, toward Jongno 1-ga on the afternoon of May 1 last year, Labor Day. /Courtesy of News1

On May 1, Labor Day, large-scale rallies and marches will take place across downtown Seoul. Traffic congestion is expected within the rally and march zones.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will hold preliminary rallies from 1 p.m. in areas including Jongno, Euljiro, and Yulgok-ro, and from 3 p.m. will hold the "2026 World Labor Day Rally" on Sejong-daero (Sejong Intersection to City Hall).

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will then march from 4 p.m. along the section connecting the Bank of Korea (BOK) Intersection, Sogong-ro, and City Hall Intersection.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said the purpose of the rally and march is "a rally to fully purge the forces of rebellion ahead of the June 3 local elections and to widely publicize the KCTU's demands for the local elections," adding, "We intend to deliver to the world our opposition to the U.S. and Israel's war of aggression against Iran and the deployment of Korean troops, and to gather solidarity and resolve to address pending issues at each regional struggle's business sites."

Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions chant slogans at the 135th World Labor Day National Workers' Rally held around Dongsipjagak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on May 1 last year. /Courtesy of News1

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions will hold the "136th anniversary World Labor Day National Workers' Rally" from 2 p.m. around Yeoui-daero.

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions said, "At this rally, we plan to call for a 'just transition' in which labor is not excluded amid the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), industrial transformation, and the climate crisis," adding, "We will resolve to wage an all-out struggle to implement key policy tasks such as expanding the right to unionize, extending the retirement age to 65, and strengthening public pensions."

Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at each of the two major labor federations' Labor Day rallies. Police will deploy riot squads and traffic officers to ensure rally safety and manage traffic.

Traffic will be controlled in areas where rallies are held. Some bus routes will be temporarily detoured. An official with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency urged, "If possible, use the subway, and if you drive, check traffic information in advance."

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