A Security Guard Blocking Minnochoeng Wonju Remicon Union Entry Suffers Head Injury

Wonju City, "Actively Responding to Work Obstruction and Harmful Acts Against Employees"
Remicon Union, "Disappointed by Wonju City's Ignoring Workers' Appeals"

On the 15th, members of the Minnochoong Wonju Regional Ready-Mixed Concrete Union entering the Wonju City Hall building were being blocked by the city hall's security guards.

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Physical clashes occurred between members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Construction Equipment Union Remicon Branch in Wonju, Gangwon Province, who were protesting against illegal activities by ready-mixed concrete companies, and city hall employees, resulting in injuries and damage to city hall facilities.

According to Wonju City and the police on the 15th, around 9 a.m., security guards at the city hall attempted to block KCTU Remicon union members from entering the city hall building.

During this process, security guard A fell and hit his head on the marble floor of the city hall building, sustaining injuries and was transported to the hospital.

It was reported that A is undergoing treatment for a concussion as well as injuries to his cervical spine and shoulder joints.

Earlier, on the 12th, when Remicon union members entered the city hall, damage occurred including the fire shutter on the 6th floor and the entrance door on the 7th floor being broken.

At that time, about 50 Remicon union members entered up to the mayor’s office inside the city hall demanding a meeting with Mayor Won Chang-mook and staged a sit-in protest.

In response, the city implemented security measures to block Remicon union members from entering the city hall to prevent recurrence.

A city official stated, "The illegal activities claimed by the union are matters that the relevant department can handle according to procedures," adding, "An on-site investigation was completed on the day the complaint was filed, and any legal violations will be addressed according to the law."

Damaged fire shutter door

He continued, "They occupied the city hall, damaged facilities, threatened employees, disrupted work, and caused extreme anxiety among visitors and public officials," adding, "We will actively respond to any acts that threaten our employees."

Meanwhile, the Remicon union claimed, "Ready-mixed concrete manufacturers have oppressed the union from the moment it was formed and have discriminated by paying lower transportation fees only to union members."

They added, "They frequently forced union members to quit and thoroughly ignored the union’s legitimate demands for increased transportation fees and improved working conditions."

The union also criticized, "Despite various illegal acts such as illegal landfill of waste by ready-mixed concrete companies, the Wonju City Hall and related authorities have neglected the workers’ appeals, which is disappointing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.