NIS Conducts Simultaneous Raids on KCTU and Others for 'National Security Law Violations'

Simultaneous Raids in Seoul, Jeonnam, and Jeju
NIS Investigates Four on National Security Law Violations
Minju No Chong Claims "Labor Movement Raided to Fabricate Case"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has detected allegations of violations of the National Security Act against executives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and simultaneously conducted multiple raids in Seoul, Jeonnam, and Jeju.

According to the NIS on the 18th, the NIS and the National Police Agency have been conducting a raid since 9:10 a.m. at the KCTU headquarters office located in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The NIS obtained a search warrant for a director-level executive affiliated with the KCTU headquarters on charges of violating the National Security Act. However, union members resisted entry by confronting the officers, leading to physical scuffles during the process.

On the 18th, when the National Intelligence Service conducted a search and seizure of the headquarters office of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), an NIS employee was moving in front of the KCTU headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the same day, the NIS also launched a forced investigation into the office of the Health and Medical Workers' Union under the KCTU in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Officials from the Health and Medical Workers' Union are also suspected of violating the National Security Act.

The NIS additionally conducted a search and seizure at the residence of a former executive of the Metal Workers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam branch under the KCTU in Damyang-gun, Jeonnam, on the same charges. He was confirmed to be a former union executive at Kia Motors Gwangju Plant and had served as an executive in the KCTU's industrial union. It is reported that he is currently an ordinary employee and union member at the Gwangju plant.

Furthermore, the NIS dispatched investigators to the Jeju Peace Shelter in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City, where another KCTU official is staying, to secure materials related to allegations of violating the National Security Act. This is known to be connected to a National Security Act violation case involving progressive figures previously under investigation by the NIS.

The NIS stated that aside from confirming the search and seizure related to the National Security Act violation charges, it cannot disclose specific targets or locations of the raids. However, an NIS official explained, "We secured evidence related to matters that have been under internal investigation for several years," adding, "The court issued the search warrant based on the judgment that forced investigation was necessary."

Meanwhile, the KCTU strongly opposes the NIS's actions, accusing it of invading the labor movement by fabricating National Security Act cases.

Han Sang-jin, spokesperson for the KCTU, stated, "When the KCTU executive listed on the search warrant arrives, the warrant will be executed in the presence of the individual," and claimed, "There is no reason to refuse the investigation, yet the NIS is mobilizing hundreds of officers to create a 'well-orchestrated scenario.'"