S Koreans hold anti-government rally

Thousands of South Koreans have held an anti-government rally in the capital, Seoul, to denounce the labor policies of the administration of conservative President Park Geun-hye.

According to police, about 130,000 people took part in the protest led by Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on Saturday.

The demonstrators, who had gathered in front of Seoul city hall, were chanting slogans in demand of the resignation of the president.

“We are gathered here today to criticize and denounce Park Geun-hye government’s policies against the livelihood of the people and peace (on the Korean Peninsula) which have been carried out for the last three years,” protest leader, Han Sun-bum, said.

After the rally, the demonstrators marched toward an area near a hospital where 70-year-old farmer Nam-ki Baek remains in a coma after being knocked to the ground by high-powered police water cannons at a last November anti-government rally in Seoul.

The protesters accused President Park of dictatorial policies which have violated their personal freedoms as well as union rights.

President Park’s conservative government is mulling giving employers more power to dismiss workers based on their performance.

The government is also trying to limit salaries of senior staffs to pave the way for the employment of the youth.