Severance Hospital's secretary-general and personnel from the security company Taegabm were fined for illegally obstructing the union activities of cleaning workers, while the union has filed a 100 million won lawsuit against Severance Hospital for damages.
The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) held a press conference in front of Mapo Police Station on the 22nd, stating, "The hospital has refused any reflection or apology during the three years from indictment to judgment," and added, "This is almost the only legal response workers can take against the illegal acts and evasion of responsibility by Severance Hospital."
Regarding the reason for claiming 100 million won in damages, the union explained that the amount was calculated by roughly estimating the union dues of members who left the union.
The Seoul Regional Public Service Branch of the KPTU raised suspicions that after about 140 cleaning workers joined the union in 2016, the hospital and the security company Taegabm conspired to destroy the union.
The prosecution indicted nine people, including Kwon, the former secretary-general of Severance Hospital, and Lee, the vice president of Taegabm, on charges of devising and executing strategies to undermine the union, such as monitoring union establishment trends and planning measures to prevent the inauguration ceremony.
On the 14th, the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Kwon and Lee, who were charged with violating the Labor Union Act, to fines of 12 million won each.
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