Police Complete Investigation of 29 Including Construction Union Chairman for 'Violation of Gipsy Act'

The police have completed the investigation of 29 union officials, including Jang Ok-gi, chairman of the Construction Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, who are suspected of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

Jang Ok-gi, Chairman of the Construction Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU)
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, a Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing, "We are investigating 29 people, including Chairman Jang, on charges such as violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act," adding, "As of today, all nine individuals have completed their investigations. We will conduct a comprehensive investigation based on their statements and evidence in the future."

The 29 union officials held a one-night, two-day rally in downtown Seoul on the 16th and 17th of last month to mourn and demand an apology related to the late Yang Hoe-dong, who died by self-immolation. During this process, they are suspected of exceeding the reported assembly time to the police and refusing to comply with police orders to disperse, unlawfully occupying Seoul Plaza and Cheonggye Plaza. On the 9th of last month, the Seoul Namdaemun Police Station conducted a forced investigation, including a search and seizure of the office of the National Construction Workers' Union located in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

On the 22nd of last month, Chairman Jang, who appeared before the police, said, "Is it wrong to engage in union activities guaranteed by the Constitution, or is it wrong for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the police to block them?"