Police: "If Dialogue Fails with CJ Daehan Tongun Occupying Courier Union, Judicial Action Will Be Taken"

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Courier Workers' Union are staging a sit-in protest at the CJ Logistics headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 11th. The courier union, which has been on strike since December 28 last year, launched a surprise sit-in on the 10th, urging the company to engage in talks to resolve the situation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on the 14th that he will "make every effort to resolve the issue through dialogue between labor and management" regarding the current situation where the Korean Delivery Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is occupying and protesting at the CJ Logistics headquarters.

At a press conference held that morning, Commissioner Choi said, "I believe the response to crimes affecting people's livelihoods and to assemblies and demonstrations should be somewhat different." However, he added, "If violent acts occur during labor-management negotiations, we will respond strictly with judicial measures," and noted, "The Namdaemun Police Station is currently conducting a pre-investigation before indictment, and an investigation is underway regarding the company's complaint."

Earlier, around 200 delivery union members demanded dialogue with CJ Logistics and on the 10th at approximately 11:30 a.m., they suddenly occupied the CJ Logistics headquarters and began a sit-in protest. The union members have occupied the 1st and 3rd floors inside the headquarters and have continued the protest for five days. The CJ Logistics branch of the Delivery Workers' Union went on strike starting December 28 last year, demanding proper implementation of a social agreement to prevent death from overwork. The union claims that the company is pocketing most of the delivery fee increases.

In response, CJ Logistics filed a police complaint against the Delivery Workers' Union for charges including property damage, obstruction of business, and trespassing. Commissioner Choi indirectly mentioned that such union actions could be considered violent acts. When asked what constitutes "violent acts that will be strictly dealt with," he replied, "Overall, it includes trespassing on public buildings, obstruction of business, and property damage."

Regarding inquiries about investigations into election-related offenses ahead of the presidential election, Commissioner Choi said, "We are operating an investigation situation room," and added, "From tomorrow (the 15th), when candidate registration ends, we will strengthen crackdowns on various illegal acts based on election laws and conduct strict investigations to maintain peaceful election security." He further emphasized, "The security system will remain on emergency status until the vote counting is completed," and stated, "During the election campaign starting tomorrow, we will calmly yet thoroughly respond to candidates' personal protection, illegal acts at campaign venues, and security inside vote counting centers to ensure the election proceeds peacefully."

Regarding the large-scale rally announced by the COVID-19 Victims Business Solidarity at Gwanghwamun on the 15th, Commissioner Choi said, "If illegal elements arise, we will inevitably respond strictly." He added, "We will jointly inspect and take measures with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on-site to check for violations of quarantine regulations," and emphasized, "If the number of participants exceeds 299, we will respond in the same manner as our consistent policy on assemblies and demonstrations."

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