Police File Charges Against 29 Including Democratic Labor Union Officials for 'Road Occupation and Overnight Sit-in'

On the 16th and 17th of last month, 29 officials of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), including executives, who occupied the road while holding a 1-night, 2-day overnight protest in downtown Seoul, are to be investigated by the police.

On the 31st, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held an all-out struggle rally in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, demanding an end to labor oppression and the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

On the 2nd, the Jungbu Police Station in Seoul announced that it had booked three executives, including Lee Tae-ui, the KCTU vice chairman, and 24 union members on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and obstructing general traffic.

They are accused of illegally occupying all eight lanes of the road in front of the Seoul Employment and Labor Office on the 17th of last month. At the time, the police only allowed occupation of four lanes, but the union members occupied all eight lanes, paralyzing traffic. The police issued three dispersal orders, but the KCTU did not comply.

The police summoned Vice Chairman Lee for questioning to investigate the specific facts. The remaining two executives are also scheduled to be summoned and questioned on the same day. The police are coordinating investigation schedules for the 24 union members as well.

The Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul booked Jang Ok-gi, chairman of the Construction Union, and the head of the organizational dispute office, who led the 1-night, 2-day overnight protest, on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. They are also known to have committed illegal acts during protests held near the National Police Agency on the 11th of last month and near the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 1st of this month.

However, the investigation into them is facing difficulties. The police requested their attendance twice, but they did not comply. The police requested their attendance again on the 8th. They have stated that they will appear on the 12th.