“Legitimate Administrative Enforcement, Regret Over Injury at the Scene”
Jongno District in Seoul (District Mayor: Chung Moonheon) stated on November 25 that the actions taken by district officials at the scene during the demolition of the Homeplus workers’ protest site on November 10, for which district employee A has been referred to the prosecution on charges of occupational negligence resulting in injury, constituted a legitimate administrative enforcement in accordance with relevant laws.
The district explained, “The Mart Industry Labor Union violated Articles 61 and 75 of the Road Act and set up illegal tents outside the permitted area of their assembly notification, causing inconvenience to citizens’ passage and use of the park,” adding, “Jongno District lawfully carried out the removal of the tents through administrative procedures in accordance with relevant regulations.”
Regarding the on-site clash, the district stated, “The unexpected accident occurred in a situation of strong resistance, such as pushing public officials and holding onto the tents,” emphasizing, “There was no intent on the part of the district employee.”
This incident occurred on April 24 at Cheongjin Park in Jongno District. District employee A is accused of injuring a union member’s palm with a utility knife while cutting the ropes of the protest tent. At the time, Homeplus union members were staging a sit-in, performing 108 bows to demand that MBK Partners, the main shareholder, take responsibility in relation to Homeplus’s corporate rehabilitation proceedings (court receivership).
The following day, the union filed a complaint with the police against Jongno District Office for violating the Act on Assembly and Demonstration (obstruction of assembly), occupational gross negligence resulting in injury, and violating the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts (joint property damage). However, the police have dismissed the charges of obstruction of assembly and property damage.
Nevertheless, an accident occurred during the enforcement process at the scene, escalating into a dispute. The police have referred employee A to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of occupational negligence resulting in injury to a union member. In response, Jongno District stated, “Two representatives of the Mart Industry Labor Union involved in the incident were also referred to the prosecution on August 29 on charges of obstructing official duties during the enforcement of the law, and one union member was fined 3 million won by the prosecution on July 9 for obstruction of official duties,” stressing, “This incident cannot be viewed as a one-sided event caused by only one party.”
The district reiterated, “The actions taken at the scene in question were legitimate administrative enforcement in accordance with relevant laws,” and emphasized, “The unexpected accident occurred in a situation of strong resistance, such as pushing public officials and holding onto the tents, and there was no intent on the part of the district employee.”
The district added, “Regardless of intent, Jongno District regrets that someone was injured at the scene,” and stated, “We will sincerely cooperate with the upcoming prosecution investigation to clarify the facts and will strive even harder to ensure safety and communication at the scene.”
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