Prosecutors Request Arrest Warrant for Heo Young-in, SPC Chairman, Over Alleged Coercion to Leave Minju Labor Union (Comprehensive)

Refused Investigation Four Times Due to Health and Work Reasons... Arrested at Hospital the Day Before
Investigation Also Targets Suspected Information Trading... Chairman Heo's Side Objects

The prosecution investigating allegations of forced withdrawal from the Paris Baguette bakery workers' union has requested an arrest warrant for Heo Young-in, chairman of SPC Group. After Heo repeatedly failed to appear for summons, the prosecution obtained a detention warrant the previous day and conducted a forced investigation, determining that it is necessary to secure his custody for the time being to continue the investigation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Public Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Im Sam-bin) filed a post-arrest warrant request on the 3rd with the court against Chairman Heo, who is accused of unfair labor practices (violation of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act).

This is a follow-up measure after Heo was arrested around 8 a.m. the previous day while hospitalized at a hospital in Seoul. When a suspect is arrested, an arrest warrant must be requested or the suspect released within 48 hours. The prosecution reportedly requested the arrest warrant considering the seriousness of the crime, Heo’s attitude during the investigation so far, concerns about evidence destruction, and flight risk.

Heo is accused of coercing members of the Paris Baguette branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) affiliated with the Food and Textile Workers' Union to withdraw from the union by imposing disadvantages on promotions from July 2019 to August 2022 through SPC’s subsidiary, PB Partners, and supporting the securing of members for the PB Partners union affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), which is favorable to management.

During the investigation of executives including Hwang Jae-bok, CEO of SPC, who were previously indicted under detention, the prosecution reportedly received statements indicating that "when the KCTU Paris Baguette branch held protests, Chairman Heo ordered the dissolution of the union and was subsequently briefed on the progress."

Heo did not respond to the prosecution’s summons four times from last month until the 1st of this month, citing work schedules and health reasons. On the 25th of last month, he appeared at the prosecution office but complained of chest pain, leading to the suspension of the investigation after about an hour. After being investigated by the prosecution on the day of his arrest, Heo spent the night at Seoul Detention Center. The prosecution also summoned Heo on this day to investigate whether he ordered the dissolution of the union. The prosecution plans to clarify whether Heo was involved in leaking investigation information regarding violations of the Fair Trade Act and breach of trust through SPC’s investigation officers from September 2020 to May 2023.

SPC issued a statement that morning saying, "Chairman Heo intended to appear before the prosecution once his health improved after resting for mental and physical stability, and he thoroughly explained these circumstances to the prosecution. However, we regret that the prosecution ignored Heo’s position and condition and executed an excessive arrest warrant."