Construction Union Claims Illegal Search and Seizure... Police State "Lawful Search and Seizure, Strict Investigation"

Namdaemun Police Station Conducts Search and Seizure at Construction Union Office on the 9th

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency claimed on the 10th that the search and seizure conducted the previous day was lawful. This was in response to the Construction Workers' Union's assertion that the search and seizure related to the 1-night 2-day downtown rally was illegal.

The Seoul Namdaemun Police Station conducted a search and seizure of the Construction Workers' Union office in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. on the 9th, on charges including violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

The Construction Workers' Union immediately issued a statement. They claimed that the police illegally seized items belonging to third parties that were not specified in the warrant during the search and seizure.

The union's lawyer said, "The warrant limits the search and seizure to only business information storage media and documents related to the charges involving suspects Jang Ok-gi and Jeon Byeong-seon," adding, "Despite the lawyer's objection, the police forcibly searched and seized storage media and documents owned or kept by third parties and third-party office spaces."

On the morning of the 9th, police investigating illegal rallies in the city are standing by in front of the National Construction Workers' Union in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, conducting a search and seizure of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Construction Union for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. / Yonhap News

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency rebutted. In related materials, they stated, "The search and seizure were lawfully conducted with the participation of Construction Workers' Union officials and lawyers regarding the items listed in the warrant," and added, "We will strictly investigate in accordance with the law and principles, including promptly analyzing the seized items."

Earlier, the Construction Workers' Union held rallies in downtown Seoul on the 16th and 17th of last month, demanding an end to union suppression and an apology for the self-immolation of the late Yang Hoe-dong. The Namdaemun Police Station booked two union executives on charges related to noise during the rally. The Jungbu Police Station booked 27 executives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.