[Exclusive] Police File Charges Against 20 Officials from Minju No Chong and Hanguk No Chong Over Construction Union Illegal Activities

Over 20 People Booked for Joint Coercion and Extortion Charges
Searches Conducted at 14 Locations Including Minjunochong and Hanguknochong

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Se-hee and Gong Byung-sun] It has been confirmed that the police have collectively indicted more than 20 executives from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minju No Chong) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (Hanguk No Chong) in connection with illegal activities by the construction labor union. On the same day, the police launched a large-scale raid on Minju No Chong and Hanguk No Chong.

According to a comprehensive report from Asia Economy on the 19th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Violent Crime Investigation Unit is currently investigating and has indicted more than 20 executives from Minju No Chong, Hanguk No Chong, and the Construction Solidarity on charges of joint coercion and joint extortion under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes. According to the police, these individuals are alleged to have engaged in illegal activities such as forcing union member recruitment or accepting bribes.

After gathering intelligence and conducting investigations, the police judged that the allegations against them were somewhat substantiated and proceeded with a forced investigation.

On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Violent Crime Investigation Unit announced that starting around 8:10 a.m., investigators were executing search warrants at five locations, including the Minju No Chong Construction Union Seoul-Gyeonggi Northern Branch office in Yangpyeong-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

Investigators are also conducting raids at three offices of the Hanguk No Chong Construction Union. In total, searches are underway at 14 locations including the Korean Federation and Construction Solidarity.

Meanwhile, the Minju No Chong Construction Union protested the forced investigation at 11 a.m. in front of the Seoul-Gyeonggi Northern Branch office in Yangpyeong-dong, Seoul, claiming that the government and the construction industry are suppressing the union.