Yoon warns of 'firm response' to illegal demonstrations

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at an economic policy direction meeting at the Blue House Yeongbingwan in central Seoul Tuesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol warned that he will "firmly respond" to those who hold political strikes or illegal demonstrations at an economic policy meeting Tuesday, according to the presidential office.

The remarks come after the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the country's largest umbrella labor group, began a two-week general strike on Monday to protest the Yoon administration's labor policies and rally for the president's resignation.

"The administration will never relent and firmly respond to any threats by those who stage political strikes and illegal demonstrations that hold the people and the national economy hostage," Yoon was quoted as saying by presidential spokesman Lee Do-woon at a press briefing Tuesday.

"It is the government's role to try to normalize all industries and establish a just system," Yoon added. "Public officials need to take an active stance to fight resistance from vested interests based on the spirit of the Constitution."

Yoon also warned that it "would be better to give up the expectation that something can be gained through illegal protests and strikes," according to Lee.

When asked if Yoon's remarks at the meeting were with the KCTU's ongoing strike in mind, a presidential official replied, "That part wasn't excluded."

On Monday, KCTU organizers claimed that their walkout was to "bring down" the Yoon administration, calling out what it calls the government's "pro-chaebol," referring to family-run conglomerates, and "anti-labor" policies.

Yoon presided over the meeting to set the economic policy for the second half of the year at the Blue House Yeongbingwan in central Seoul.

Also during the meeting, Yoon called for the need to "get rid of killer regulations that prevent investments," stressing this will "lay the foundation for future growth as private investments are stimulated, and the country's prosperity and well-being guaranteed."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]