(LEAD) Protesters hold massive anti-gov't rally

(ATTN: RECASTS 5th para; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean umbrella labor union and progressive civic groups held a massive rally Saturday to protest the government's policy on labor reform, police said.

About 15,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions gathered at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul to protest the government's push for labor reform, according to police.

An association of farmers also held a rally at a separate place to call for a parliamentary hearing on the alleged violent crackdown by police on last year's rally.

In November last year, the antigovernment rally turned violent as some participants brandished metal pipes, clashing with police who fired water cannons at them. A farmer still remains in critical condition after being knocked down by a police water cannon.

After holding separate rallies, the protesters gathered together at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul to show their joint opposition to the government's policies.

The rally is the largest protest held by progressive civic groups since the general elections on April 13, when the ruling party suffered a crushing defeat.

Police said they will sternly take actions if the rally turns violent.
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