Police File Compensation Lawsuit Against Ssangyong Motor Union Over Strike... Conclusion After 13 Years

2009 Pyeongtaek Factory Occupation for 77 Days... Clash with Police During Suppression
1st Trial "Must Compensate 1.4 Billion Won" → 2nd Trial "Damage Compensation Recognized" Reduced to 1.1 Billion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The conclusion of the damages claim lawsuit filed by the police against the union related to the Ssangyong Motor strike will be reached on the 30th after 13 years.

The Supreme Court's 1st Division (Presiding Justice No Tae-ak) will hold the verdict hearing for the appeal trial of the damages claim lawsuit filed by the government against the Ssangyong Motor branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union and its members on this day.

Ssangyong Motor workers staged a 77-day strike from May to August 2009 by occupying the Pyeongtaek factory in response to the company's restructuring process to reduce workers due to the 2008 financial crisis.

At that time, the union used Molotov cocktails, bolt slingshots, bricks, and iron pipes to prevent company officials and police from entering the factory, clashing with the police who tried to suppress the strike. During this process, helicopters and cranes were damaged, and many police officers and union members were injured.

In response, the police filed a damages lawsuit worth about 1.7 billion won against the workers, claiming that helicopters and cranes were damaged during the forced suppression of the Ssangyong Motor strike.

The first trial ruled, "The Ssangyong Motor branch union's strike is illegal as it lacks legitimacy in purpose and means," and "The Ssangyong Motor branch union and others who participated in the strike by violent means are responsible for compensating damages," ordering them to pay 1.4 billion won in damages to the police.

The second trial mostly upheld the first trial's judgment and sided with the police. However, the court recognized the damage amount related to equipment such as helicopters and cranes as lower than in the first trial, reducing the compensation to be paid to the police to 1.16 billion won.