▲ Members of the Korean Financial Industry Union stage a rally in central Seoul on Sept. 4, 2026, to protest against a possible relocation of policy lenders, including the Korea Development Bank (KDB), Export-Import Bank of Korea (EXIM) and Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), out of Seoul. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of unionized workers from state-run banks staged a massive street rally Friday in central Seoul to protest the government's possible plan to relocate their headquarters out of Seoul.

According to unofficial police estimates, about 15,000 members of the Korean Financial Industry Union (KFIU) gathered in the downtown Gwanghwamun area, under a one-day walkout, the first of its kind staged by the union since September 2025.

Many of those taking part in the street protest rally were said to be unionized workers of three policy lenders -- Korea Development Bank (KDB), Export-Import Bank of Korea (EXIM) and Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK).

The government has yet to unveil a detailed list of government agencies and public institutions to be relocated under its plan to lessen government concentration in the capital region, but many believe the three policy lenders, as well as financial authorities such as the Financial Supervisory Service, will likely be included in the list, among others.

In addition to expressing their opposition to a possible relocation, the unionized workers are also demanding a 6 percent wage increase, along with the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek and an extension of retirement age.

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]