[Exclusive] "Interference with Class Rights" Yonsei University Student-Cleaning Worker Mediation Fails... Main Lawsuit Resumes

Decision of Mediation Failure by Seoul Western District Court on the 4th
However, One Enrolled Student Withdraws Lawsuit... Possibility of Case Closure
Criminal Complaint Investigation in Final Stage

A lawsuit filed by Yonsei University students claiming that their right to study was violated due to noise from cleaning workers' protests was referred to mediation but ended in failure.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A lawsuit filed by Yonsei University students claiming damages for infringement of their right to study due to noise from cleaning workers' protests was referred to mediation but ended in failure.

The Seoul Western District Court ruled on the 4th that mediation failed in the damages lawsuit filed by three Yonsei University students, including Mr. Lee (23), against Kim Hyun-ok, head of the Yonsei University branch of the Seoul Public Service Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and another defendant.

Both parties' representatives participated in mediation on October 17 but could not reach an agreement. The mediators requested the plaintiffs (students) to submit additional evidence related to the protest noise that infringed on their right to study. The cleaning workers' side attempted mediation by rebutting this, but the plaintiffs reportedly did not submit the evidence. With mediation failing, the main lawsuit will resume, and a legal battle between the two sides is expected. However, according to our investigation, one of the students who filed the lawsuit withdrew the case on the 21st. If the remaining students also withdraw, there is still a possibility that the lawsuit will be concluded.

Kim Nam-ju, attorney at Dodam Law Firm representing the cleaning workers, stated, "The cleaning workers believe that it is most desirable for the lawsuit itself not to proceed through withdrawal."

Since the end of March, cleaning and security workers at Yonsei University held daily protests on campus demanding a 400 won hourly wage increase, additional staffing, and installation of shower facilities. Yonsei University students filed a civil lawsuit in June, claiming approximately 6.39 million won in tuition fees, mental damages, and psychiatric treatment costs, arguing that "the union's on-campus protests infringed on their right to study for about two months and caused stress."

The union, which continued protests on campus for several months, ended the protests at the end of August after reaching an agreement with the service company on improved working conditions. The improvement plan specifically included ▲ a 400 to 440 won hourly wage increase for cleaning and security workers ▲ additional staffing to address manpower shortages due to retirement.

Meanwhile, in a related case where the same students filed a complaint with the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station accusing the union leadership of obstruction of business and violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act due to noise from the protests infringing on their right to attend classes, the police investigation is reportedly in its final stages.