Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum issued on Tuesday the government's final warning to labor groups planning to hold rallies in the capital region in defiance of social distancing rules.

Kim called on Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to call off mass rallies scheduled to be held in the streets of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday.

He stressed that if they go ahead with the protest, authorities will have no choice but to strictly deal with them, including taking legal action.

Organizers of the one-day general strike and rallies said they expect around 500,000 people will take part to demand better working conditions, the abolition of irregular jobs and the protection of workers' rights to unionize.

The prime minister called the strike action irresponsible as it could endanger public safety amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

On COVID-19 vaccinations, Kim voiced optimism that the government's goal of fully vaccinating over 70 percent of the population will be reached by this weekend.

He also expressed hope over the decreasing daily case count but cautioned that infections could rise again with the onset of colder weather and people spending more time indoors.