May first was International Labor Day... and marking the day... labor demonstrations have been taking place across the world, including in Europe.
Seo Eunkyung has more.
Demonstrators came out in their tens of thousands in many countries across Europe, demanding mainly two things: higher salaries and better working conditions.
France saw more than 15 thousand demonstrators take to the streets for May Day rallies in some 200 towns and cities, including Paris.
More than seven thousand police were deployed,... and responded with tear gas and water cannons.
In Germany, tens of thousands gathered in major cities, including Berlin, demanding an increase of the minimum wage and the right for collective bargaining.
In Greece, labor union rallies paralyzed public transportation including national rail and island ferries, which had to operate on a reduced schedule all day.
Participants marched toward Greek Parliament, calling for an end to exploitation and social inequalities.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis offered a May Day prayer for people experiencing the "global tragedy" of unemployment.
He put emphasis on the importance of fair job distribution, saying that having a job is a precondition of human dignity.
Seo Eunkyung, Arirang News.