Gangbuk-gu Issues Second Notice for Voluntary Removal of Illegal Protest Tents by the 20th
Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) announced that on the 7th, it delivered a second notice to the union of the district urban management corporation, ordering the voluntary removal of illegal tents on the road in front of the government building by the 20th.
The district had previously issued a first notice on the 23rd of last month, demanding the union remove the illegal tents by the 6th of this month and warning of subsequent measures if not complied with.
The Gangbuk-gu Urban Management Corporation union has continued strikes and illegal loud protests inside and outside the government building since November 29 of last year, causing inconvenience to residents and district office staff.
From the beginning of the protests, the district repeatedly explained to the union that the district office is not a party to the negotiations and urged them to reach an agreement between the corporation’s labor and management first. However, from the start, about 80 union members unlawfully occupied the first-floor civil service office and the corridor in front of the mayor’s office on the third floor, eating, sleeping, and conducting loud protests with abusive language inside the building.
The district restrained its response and continuously requested the union to stop illegal acts that obstruct work and cause inconvenience to residents. However, on December 23 last year, the union blocked and pushed Mayor Lee Soon-hee, who was heading to an event venue, causing injuries requiring three weeks of medical treatment to her waist and legs.
Following this, the district reported the incident to the police on December 27 and forcibly removed the protesters, but the union, refusing to comply, began illegal loud protests in front of the district office main gate. They continue to illegally install large tents for assemblies on the road in front of the building and maintain the illegal protest.
According to the district urban management corporation, all employees received a salary increase of 3.3% last year, the maximum rate allowed by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety guidelines. Additionally, performance bonuses were applied up to the highest grade of 250%.
Regarding the union’s claim that Mayor Lee Soon-hee, who pledged to participate in dialogue between labor and management immediately after taking office, is ignoring requests for talks, a district official stated, “Gangbuk-gu has consistently conveyed that dialogue is always possible if the corporation’s chairman and the union conduct consultations first and then jointly request talks. However, the problem is that the union demands dialogue only with the mayor as the negotiating party, excluding the new corporation chairman, using violent and coercive methods.”
The official added, “If the union apologizes for unlawfully occupying the district office, causing inconvenience to visitors, obstructing office work, and assaulting the mayor and staff resulting in injuries, and sincerely makes efforts to reach an agreement between the corporation and the union, the district will provide maximum support.” However, the district clearly stated it will continue to respond strongly as long as the union’s illegal activities persist.
Guro-gu Enhances Emergency Response Capabilities in Civil Service Office
Mock Drill Conducted on the Morning of the 8th at the First Floor Civil Service Office in Cooperation with Guro Police Station
Wearable Body Cameras and Portable Recorders to Be Introduced for Protection of Civil Service Officers
Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) announced that at 8 a.m. on the 8th, it conducted a mock drill (photo) at the first-floor civil service office of the district office to prepare for emergency situations.
The drill was organized to protect civil service officers and visiting residents and to create a safe civil service office by preparing for emergencies such as verbal abuse and assault that may occur during civil service interactions.
The district simulated a scenario where a resident verbally abuses and assaults the officer during consultation, and a pre-assigned Malicious Civil Complaints Management Team (Emergency Response Team) responded accordingly.
Following response protocols for each situation, the drill included requesting the resident to stop verbal abuse and active intervention by supervisors, prior notification followed by recording and filming, emergency bell activation and intervention by security police, protection of the victimized officer and evacuation of visiting residents, restraint of the resident, and handover to the police, all conducted realistically in cooperation with Guro Police Station to enhance effectiveness.
The district plans to conduct similar mock drills at all 16 community service centers within the district later this month.
Additionally, starting in April, wearable body cameras and portable recorders will be introduced and operated in the district office civil service office and all community service centers.
The portable protection devices are designed as necklace-type equipment, enabling immediate response in emergency situations.
According to the ‘Guro-gu Civil Service Officer Portable Protection Equipment Operation Guidelines,’ if a resident verbally abuses, threatens, sexually harasses, assaults, or shows signs of property damage toward the civil service officer, evidence will be collected after prior notification for use against illegal acts.
A Guro-gu official said, “Verbal abuse and assault against civil service officers threaten everyone’s safety. Through mock drills, we aim to enhance our ability to respond quickly to emergencies that may occur in the civil service office and will continue efforts to protect both civil service officers and residents.”
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