On the 31st, Joint Statement with Taean-gun Irregular Workers' Union... Criticizing Prolonged Protests at the Presidential Office
Officials of Taean County, Chungnam, have called for strict law enforcement by the authorities, stating that they can no longer tolerate vehicle protests, loudspeaker broadcasts, and picket protests that have continued for the past 2 to 3 years within the county office site. The photo shows Kim Misook, chairperson of the Taean County Government Employees Union, reading a statement on the 31st. /Taean=Photo by Choi Byungmin
Public officials of Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, have called for strict law enforcement by the authorities regarding ongoing protests at the county government office site, including vehicle demonstrations, loudspeaker broadcasts, and picketing that have continued for the past two to three years.
On the morning of the 31st, about 200 members of the Taean County Public Officials Union (Chairperson Kim Misuk) and the Taean County Irregular Workers Branch of the Sejong-Chungnam Regional Labor Union (Chairperson Kim Yongseop) held a statement in front of the main gate of the county office, criticizing the prolonged protests.
The union and branch stated, "Due to the ongoing occupation of the county office premises over the past two to three years, all county officials are exhausted and are suffering psychological trauma in their public service," adding, "This is an unprecedented situation that we have never experienced before."
They continued, "We urge the county administration to seriously recognize the difficult working conditions of public officials and to take follow-up actions such as filing complaints," emphasizing, "We also strongly urge law enforcement agencies, including the police, to strictly enforce the law against illegal acts such as the occupation of the Taean County office premises."
This statement is reported to be a response to the significant damage suffered by public officials and civil petitioners due to ongoing protests over the years.
It has been confirmed that there are usually about three to four protesters at the county office premises at any given time.
In particular, the protesters have openly disrupted the duties of public officials and caused discomfort to civil petitioners by broadcasting defamatory messages about the county, funeral songs, or popular music through loudspeakers installed on passenger cars or trucks.
Union members belonging to the Taean County Public Officials Union and the Sejong Chungnam Regional Labor Union Taean County Irregular Workers Branch are seen issuing a statement in front of the main gate of Taean County Office in Chungnam on the 31st. Photo by Choi Byungmin
Eventually, on November 5, Taean County established the 'Basic Plan for Office Protection' and designated the office as a protest-free zone, officially implementing measures such as prohibiting protest vehicles from entering the main gate.
As a result, since the 30th, protesters who could not enter the premises have blocked the main gate with two trucks, causing significant inconvenience not only to public officials and civil petitioners but also to vehicles passing near the office.
A union official stated, "We have done our best to create a normal county office by demanding dialogue and compromise with the protesters," adding, "However, they refused and even blocked the main gate, resulting in injuries to staff."
He continued, "Verbal abuse, insults, and ridicule against legitimate office protection and the employees involved have already crossed the line," questioning, "Can this truly be called a one-person protest or a legitimate act?"
Kim Misuk, the chairperson, said, "The Taean County Public Officials Union condemns these illegal and unfair acts, and they must not continue or be tolerated any longer," adding, "We urge strict law enforcement by the police and related agencies. We also ask the administration to expedite follow-up actions, including criminal complaints."
Meanwhile, at the statement site, the Taean-eup Village Chiefs Association (President Kim Kiil) also attended, drawing attention as they called for an end to the occupation of the main gate by protesters and for the restoration of residents' rights to convenient administrative services.
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