'Forced Union Withdrawal' Hwang Jaebok, SPC CEO, Released on Bail... 5 Months After Detention

Hwang Jae-bok, CEO of SPC Group, who was detained and brought to trial on suspicion of coercing the Paris Baguette bakery workers' union to withdraw, has been released on bail. It has been about five months since his detention.

Hwang Jae-bok, CEO of SPC Group, who is under prosecution investigation for allegations of 'forcing Paris Baguette bakers to leave the union,' is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of March 4th to attend the pre-arrest detention hearing. 2024.3.4 (Photo by Yonhap News)

On the 30th, the Criminal Division 32 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Jo Seung-woo) approved Hwang's bail request. The court imposed conditions including residence restrictions, payment of a bail bond of 100 million KRW (50 million KRW covered by surety insurance), obligation to attend trials, prohibition of evidence destruction, and prohibition of contact with parties involved in the case. If he plans to leave the country or travel for more than three days, he must notify the court in advance and obtain permission.

Hwang's lawyer appealed for bail release during the bail hearing held in July, stating, "His health condition has deteriorated to the point of recent delirium, and there is no risk of flight during the trial."

Hwang was arrested and indicted on March 22 on charges including coercing members of the Paris Baguette branch of the Korean Federation of Textile, Chemical, Food, and Pharmaceutical Workers' Unions (KCTF) at PB Partners, an SPC subsidiary, from July 2019 to August 2022, and giving disadvantages in promotion personnel matters.

Meanwhile, the bail request of Heo Young-in, SPC chairman, who was also indicted and detained together with Hwang, was rejected on the 24th of last month due to concerns over evidence destruction.