Investigation into 'Nojo' Police Refusing Attendance Remains at a Standstill

Coupang and HiteJinro Labor Conflicts Rise
Police Strictly Respond to Illegal Occupations... Yoon "Consistent Application of Law and Principles"

On the 18th, the third day of the protest by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, occupying the Hite Jinro headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a banner with their demands was hung on the building's exterior wall. Workers are staging a high-altitude sit-in on the rooftop billboard. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Police investigations into illegal union protests are at a standstill.

On the 26th, according to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy, the Seoul Songpa Police Station recently scheduled investigation appointments for some members of the Coupang Logistics Center branch of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) after three summons requests. The union members did not respond to the first and second summons, and some are reportedly coordinating additional investigation schedules through their lawyers.

At the time, they demanded improvements in working conditions, such as measures against extreme heat at the logistics center. A police official stated, "Most people do not comply when asked to appear regarding union law," adding, "They often tell us to coordinate schedules through their lawyers." Even if they stage surprise occupations and protests at headquarters, investigations and punishments are difficult in such an environment. Typically, the police apply for arrest warrants if there is no response to three to four summons without valid reasons.

CBRE Korea, the building management outsourcing company for Coupang headquarters, and Coupang Fulfillment Services Ltd., Coupang's logistics subsidiary, filed complaints with the police in June against about ten people, including Kim Han-min, head of the National Logistics Center branch, on charges of obstruction of business, trespassing on jointly owned buildings, and refusal to vacate jointly occupied premises. There have been cases where the police applied for arrest warrants. Last month, nine subcontractor union branch leaders who illegally occupied a super-large crude oil tanker under construction at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Okpo Shipyard 1 Dock expressed willingness to be investigated by the police only after an arrest warrant was requested.

Police investigations into members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union Cargo Solidarity currently occupying the Hite Jinro headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are also slow. The police have issued a first summons to the union members, but it is uncertain whether they will comply with the investigation. Negotiations with management are still ongoing, and a lawsuit seeking damages in the 2 billion KRW range is underway. The union is opposing the company's legal actions. A union official said, "Besides the damage claims, there are rampant complaints about illegal occupation," adding, "It is a structure where workers cannot even speak out."

The police plan to maintain a strict response policy toward illegal assemblies. A police official said, "We will respond according to laws and principles to establish order and alleviate citizen inconvenience." President Yoon Suk-yeol stated at his 100-day inauguration press conference that "It is important for the government to consistently apply laws and principles regarding labor union struggles in industrial sites." Professor Lee Woong-hyuk of Konkuk University's Department of Police Science said, "If there is clear illegal activity such as obstruction of business or assault and they do not respond to investigations, the arrest warrant system should be utilized," adding, "If there is substantial suspicion, forced investigations should be initiated."

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