▲ Financial Workers Union general strike rally
The Korea Financial Industry Union (FKIU) held a large-scale general strike rally on Sejong-daero in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, today (the 4th) to oppose the government's policy to push for the relocation of state-run banks to regional areas.
This marks the first time in about a year that the Financial Workers Union has gone on a general strike, following September of last year.
According to unofficial police estimates, 14,000 union members gathered, primarily consisting of workers from the so-called "three major state-run banks," including the Korea Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, and Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK).
Participants wore red headbands reading "general strike" around their heads or forearms.
Many were also spotted using parasols to block the sunlight or wearing yellow paper hats reading "Victory in the 2026 Financial Workers Union 1st General Strike."
They are demanding opposition to regional relocation, the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek, and a 6.0 percent wage increase.
Handheld placards featured slogans such as "Win Real Wage Increases," "Block Regional Relocation," and "Introduce the 4.5-Day Workweek."
Yang Min-ho, senior vice chairman of the Financial Workers Union, stated, "The six core demands of the Financial Workers Union are the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek, expansion of youth hiring, prior agreement on headquarters relocation, extension of the retirement age, guarantee of real wages, and institutional improvement."
The union has indicated that it may launch additional strikes depending on the outcome of future negotiations.
The Financial Workers Union decided on the general strike with a 96.05 percent approval rate in a dispute action ballot held on August 12.
On August 28, the union held an all-out struggle rally to signal the start of its full-scale strike.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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