Seoul City Council Member's Intimidation of Legislative Activities Criticized by Labor Union... Why?

Seoul Metropolitan Council Planning and Economy Committee (Chair Lee Suk-ja, People Power Party·Seocho 2) Strongly Condemns the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union for Intimidating Seoul Metropolitan Council Members' Normal Legislative Activities, Demands Apology and Prevention of Recurrence

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Planning and Economy Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairperson Lee Suk-ja, People Power Party·Seocho 2) strongly condemned the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union for intimidating the normal legislative activities of Seoul Metropolitan Council members, demanding an apology and measures to prevent recurrence.

On November 23, the Seoul Regional Public Service Branch of the KCTU Public Transport Workers' Union demanded an apology regarding the remarks made by Councilor Jang Tae-yong of the Planning and Economy Committee during the administrative audit, and even distributed a document instructing the preparation of an apology letter to be posted on the councilor’s homepage and social media.

During the administrative audit, Councilor Jang Tae-yong respected the meaning and significance of the late labor activist Jeon Tae-il but raised concerns about the legitimacy of continuously operating a memorial hall dedicated to a specific individual using citizens’ taxes. He questioned the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall’s ‘very poor’ rating in Seoul’s financial evaluation, noted that personnel expenses accounted for nearly 50% of the entrusted budget, and pointed out excessive exhibition projects and one-time event projects leading to inefficient management.

However, the Seoul Regional Public Service Branch of the KCTU Public Transport Workers' Union disparaged Councilor Jang’s inquiry as ‘a misunderstanding of labor rights education and cultural projects’ and ‘a low-quality inquiry resulting from a collaboration of devilish editing that sensationalizes false information,’ demanding the preparation of an apology letter regarding the visit impressions to the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall and the inquiry content, and its posting on the councilor’s blog and social media?an unreasonable demand below common sense.

In response, the Planning and Economy Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Chairperson Lee Suk-ja) stated, “Seoul Metropolitan Council members are representatives of ten million Seoul citizens elected through elections, and it is their authority and duty to oversee and monitor Seoul city administration and to engage in legislative activities for the welfare and rights of citizens.” They strongly criticized the union’s actions as “anti-parliamentary and anti-democratic violence” for disparaging legitimate legislative activities based on their own interests and even dictating the format of an apology letter to be submitted mockingly, expressing deep regret.

Furthermore, they called for reflection, apology, and prevention of recurrence at the level of the KCTU Public Transport Workers' Union and announced that if no apology is made, the committee will take strong measures.

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