Jongno-gu Reports Public Officials' Union Branch Chief to Police for Neglect of Duty

Jongno-gu Takes Legal Action Against Jongno-gu Branch of Public Officials Labor Union for Non-Compliance with Public Officials Labor Union Act

Plans to Pursue Police Charges Alongside Administrative Disciplinary Action for Violation of Local Public Officials Service Regulations

Hopes for the Union to Become an Organization That Complies with Relevant Laws and Upholds Basic Labor Rights of Public Officials

Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Munheon) filed a police complaint on the 28th against Jeon Eun-sook, head of the Jongno-gu branch of the Seoul Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees' Union, on charges of dereliction of duty.

In addition to legal action, the district plans to concurrently impose administrative disciplinary measures on Jeon for violating the Local Public Officials Service Regulations.

Since the launch of the 8th local government last year, Jeon has repeatedly violated laws and regulations, obstructing the normal performance of public duties in Jongno-gu and paralyzing administrative functions.

Jongno-gu stated, "Such illegal acts have continued, damaging the trust in Jongno-gu and seriously infringing on the rights and interests that residents should enjoy."

The district office also claimed that earlier this year, Jeon held a rally criticizing the district administration during a high school graduation ceremony within the region, in front of students and their families, thereby attempting to tarnish the mayor’s reputation and robbing students and their families of precious memories and happiness as they took their first steps into society.

Furthermore, the district reported that Jeon conducted illegal protests with baseless criticisms of the district administration and attempts to disgrace the head of the organization during the New Year’s greeting meetings held at 17 community service centers across Jongno-gu.

Jongno-gu has repeatedly requested Jeon, a total of four times, to either take a leave of absence to work exclusively as a union official or, if she wishes to continue receiving public official salary without leave, to return to her official duties and faithfully serve during working hours while conducting union activities after work hours, in accordance with Article 7, Paragraph 2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Officials Labor Unions (Status of Union Officials).

However, Jeon is known to have delayed or refused the legitimate order to return to work and continued illegal activities.

Through this legal action, Jongno-gu hopes that not only the Jongno-gu branch but also the entire Public Officials Labor Union will reestablish their service attitude as public servants serving the people, comply with laws and regulations, and become a labor union that guarantees the basic labor rights of public officials.

Additionally, Jongno-gu stated that it will respect labor unions that engage in lawful activities as partners in healthy public administration.

The district added, "However, regarding outdated practices of illegal and illicit acts that originated in the poor conditions when the labor movement first emerged and continue even today despite the establishment of relevant laws, we will respond firmly in the interest of protecting the public good."

Article 7 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Officials Labor Unions (Status of Union Officials)

① Public officials may engage exclusively in union work only with the consent of the appointing authority.

② Those who engage exclusively in union work with such consent [hereinafter referred to as “full-time officials”] shall be ordered to take a leave of absence pursuant to Article 71 of the National Public Officials Act or Article 63 of the Local Public Officials Act during that period.

③ The state and local governments shall not pay salaries to full-time officials during their full-time period.