Investigation Status of Delivery Workers' Union and Discovery Incident... Essentially 'At a Standstill'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] At the commissioner’s press briefing held at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 28th, seven major topics were discussed. Questions and answers were exchanged regarding the investigation status of the CJ Logistics headquarters occupation incident by the Korea Delivery Workers’ Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and the private equity fund related to Discovery Asset Management, which caused massive losses to investors due to suspension of redemptions. There were also additional inquiries about the response plan for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who announced a large-scale rally on the 1st, and about a police officer who committed suicide at the Seodaemun District police station.

On the 17th, as the sit-in protest by the delivery workers' union occupying the CJ Logistics headquarters continued, a press conference titled "Condemning the Chaebol CJ Logistics for Violating the Social Agreement to Prevent Overwork Deaths of Delivery Workers! Service Federation Labor Safety and Health Committee Press Conference" was held in front of the CJ Logistics headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

◆CJ Logistics Illegal Occupation by Delivery Workers’ Union... No Response Despite Summons = Commissioner Choi stated regarding the investigation into the delivery workers’ union’s occupation of CJ Logistics headquarters, "We have issued summons to 25 union members." Earlier, the police had announced that they summoned 8 union members on the 17th, and an additional 17 were added afterward. However, Commissioner Choi said, "No one has appeared yet." The 8 initially summoned were scheduled to appear on the 25th, but the union members refused, so the investigation did not proceed. Commissioner Choi did not comment on whether compulsory summons would be enforced. He said, "We have received four complaints from the company, some of which involve the 25 individuals. We plan to analyze the materials we have and request their attendance accordingly."

◆Discovery Investigation Essentially at a Standstill = Regarding the Discovery fund redemption suspension case, Commissioner Choi said, "We are coordinating schedules for additional investigation with CEO Jang Ha-won." Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crime Investigation Unit summoned CEO Jang twice on the 9th and 11th for questioning. The police also announced that the head and team leader of Discovery Asset Management were additionally booked, but as of this day, there has been virtually no progress. Commissioner Choi said, "We plan to proceed according to procedures." He was also reserved about the investigation status of higher-ups involved, including Ambassador Jang Ha-sung to China and former Presidential Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo. A police official said, "We are verifying the overall allegations of fund mis-selling and conducting related investigations."

◆Most Election Offenses Involve Spreading False Information = Regarding investigations into election-related offenses, 245 cases involving 464 individuals have been received, with investigations ongoing for 219 cases involving 426 individuals. The largest portion concerns the dissemination of false information. This is analyzed as a result of fierce last-minute negative campaigns and a series of lawsuits and accusations as the election approaches. Even ordinary citizens not directly related to candidates are being investigated for election law violations. Commissioner Choi explained, "As the election nears, incidents of poster vandalism are increasing," adding, "There are also occasional assault cases during election campaign activities."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆"No Accomplices" Reiterated by Geyang Electric Employee Accused of Embezzling 24.5 Billion KRW = The case involving a Geyang Electric employee, transferred to the prosecution by the Suseo Police Station on the 25th, was also mentioned at the briefing. A police official said, "Most of the embezzled funds, including losses and partial repayments, have been traced," adding, "We plan to apply for seizure and confiscation preservation before indictment within two weeks regarding remaining assets." Previously, the police referred Kim, an employee of Geyang Electric, to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office on suspicion of embezzling 24.5 billion KRW of company funds. Police investigations confirmed that Kim squandered most of the embezzled amount on gambling and cryptocurrency. Of the 24.5 billion KRW embezzled, 3.7 billion KRW was returned, and the rest was lost. The police reiterated on this day, "No accomplices have been identified."

◆Investigation Nearing Completion on Solar Power and Nodeul Island Project Embezzlement Allegations = The investigation into the Seoul city solar power project allegations and the Nodeul Island project embezzlement case is in its final stages. A police official said, "Remaining investigations will proceed according to procedures, and the conclusion will be announced at the end." The solar power project allegations involve a case where Seoul city reported a company that participated in the veranda-type solar power supply project during former Mayor Park Won-soon’s tenure, received subsidies, and then went out of business. The police have been investigating suspicions of unqualified construction and illegal subcontracting at companies involved in the solar power supply project. The police have also been investigating a case where the Nodeul Island operating company allegedly embezzled about 56 million KRW from the private consignment project funds for the Nodeul Island complex cultural space.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆"If March 1st Rally Changes from Election Campaign Style, Will Respond According to Principles" = During the briefing, questions and answers continued regarding the large-scale rally scheduled for March 1st. Commissioner Choi stated that if the rally, which was reported as an election campaign style event ahead of March 1st, changes to another format later, they will take action in principle. This refers to the rally reported by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church. While Seoul city banned three general rallies, the March 1st rally permitted as an election campaign style event would be responded to if it changes to a prayer meeting.

◆Another Police Officer’s Suicide... "Efforts Needed to Prevent Recurrence" = Additionally, the briefing touched on a police officer who committed suicide at the Seodaemun District police station while on duty the previous day. Commissioner Choi said, "We are investigating the circumstances leading to the suicide," adding, "We have secured evidence that can clarify the cause of the incident." Previously, in November last year, a 50s-ranked police officer at a police substation under the Jongno Police Station in Seoul also took his own life with a firearm, and such suicides among frontline police officers have been occurring repeatedly. Regarding questions about recurrence prevention measures, Commissioner Choi said, "We are managing firearms more strictly and preparing as much as possible through the Office of Audit and Inspection to prevent accident factors in advance," adding, "We believe continuous efforts to prevent recurrence are necessary."

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