Police Tighten Investigation on Labor Union... Suspected of Bribery and Political Funds Law Violations

20 Officials Including Leaders from Minju No Chong and Hanguk No Chong Booked... Investigation Expands
Experts Say "Strict Response... Crackdown on Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Too"

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee and Choi Taewon] The police are accelerating investigations into illegal activities by labor unions. They are broadly examining allegations ranging from the customary coercion in hiring practices to the delivery of political donations to specific politicians.

◆ Delivery of Donations and Receipt of Money Before the General Election = According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 26th, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is currently investigating allegations that an official of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Construction Union violated the Political Funds Act. It is known that around December 2019, ahead of the 21st National Assembly election, the KCTU Construction Union instructed its members to send donations to the Minjung Party (currently the Progressive Party). The total amount of donations reportedly reached 60 million KRW. This case was initiated after the National Police Agency collected intelligence. A police official stated, "We cannot disclose specific details such as the number of suspects or exact charges as it is an ongoing investigation."

The Violent Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also investigating about 20 officials from the KCTU, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), and the Construction Solidarity on charges of joint coercion and joint extortion under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes. They are accused of coercing the hiring of approximately 1,000 union members at 15 construction companies across 19 construction sites in Seoul and demanding about 650 million KRW under the pretext of union full-time staff fees. Considering that the police have conducted raids on 14 locations including the KCTU and FKTU, the scope of the investigation may expand depending on further analysis of additional materials.

A police official said, "Recently, the command has urged that all capabilities be mobilized to break the chain of illegal activities at construction sites," adding, "We are also reviewing previously transferred cases to see if additional problems have arisen." As of the 20th, the police have investigated a total of 929 individuals, resulting in 7 arrests and 16 prosecutions without detention.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ 'Strict Response'... Need to Protect Whistleblowers = Experts have pointed out the necessity of strictly responding to illegal activities according to law and principles. Lee Yunho, Chair Professor of Police Science at Korea Cyber University, said, "There has been some weakening in strict responses to illegal activities following past labor reforms," adding, "We need to abandon the perception that these were merely customary practices and thoroughly investigate any illegal activities regardless of the reasons."

Professor Lim Juntae of Dongguk University’s Department of Police Administration explained, "The KCTU has been recognized for contributing to the previous administration’s establishment and has aligned with policy directions," emphasizing, "Ultimately, we must respect the law and principles and work to eradicate illegal activities."

Calls have also been made to crack down on retaliatory acts against whistleblowers. Professor Lee stated, "While recognizing workers’ rights, we must thoroughly examine rights that fall outside the law," and added, "Retaliation against whistleblowers should be regarded as a worse offense than illegal acts within unions and dealt with strictly." Professor Lim also noted, "When protection for internal whistleblowers and victims is thorough, more reports and tips will follow."

As the Yoon Seok-yeol administration increases pressure on illegal activities by labor unions, there are expectations that investigative results will become increasingly visible within the police. Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun has identified investigations into illegal activities at construction sites as the third national promise to be felt by the public and has instructed frontline officers to conduct strong crackdowns and investigations. Accordingly, a special crackdown on illegal activities at construction sites will be conducted until June this year. Key targets include coercion in hiring, obstruction of business, forced use of construction machinery, and illegal assemblies and demonstrations.