Squid Game Meets the Seoul Streets
Picture this: thousands of Korean workers, all wrapped in pink jumpsuits and wearing those iconic Squid Game masks, marching through downtown Seoul, drums thumping, bells ringing. It’s a street‑style binge‑watch of a protest, and the Seoul city government thinks it’s a crime.
What’s the fuss about?
- Union showdown: The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) staged a nationwide rally, aiming for more jobs and better working conditions.
- Pop‑culture cosplay: Ninety‑nine participants sported the Squid Game outfit—pink jumpsuits, white “picture‑perfect” masks—with symbols (circle, square, triangle) that the guards wore.
- Demonstration style: They beat drums, danced, and held signs like “Inequality Out” and “Safe Youth Employment.”
- Legal response: The Seoul city council filed a police complaint, arguing the protest broke the pandemic restrictions.
Seoul’s Quick Complaints
Seoul’s local government claims the rally spiked Covid‑19 cases and violated the infectious disease prevention law. They call it an illegal protest, arguing that outdoor rallies pose a higher risk than sports events where crowds move about freely.
Who’s in the KCTU?
The KCTU boasts around 1.1 million members, pulling the strings from giants like Hyundai Motor, LG Chem, and government-owned Korail Railroad Corp. Their long‑standing activism has always pushed for better pay, but now they’re bumping head with authorities over pandemic etiquette.
Current Covid‑19 Landscape
As of the day’s headline, South Korea announced 1,441 new Covid‑19 cases, with a total of 347,529 infections and 2,709 deaths. One‑person protests are the only legal meet‑ups in the capital under current social distancing guidelines.
Bottom line: The Seoul city government is treating this as a traffic‑law violation while the union is saying it’s just their right to show up, feed the global heat of Squid Game, and demand fair wages. The debate between “protest is good” and “exempt from pandemic rules” keeps rolling, just like a game of red light/green light.
