Gwangju Police Agency Raids Tower Crane Union Over Extortion of Kickbacks

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Gwangju Police Agency, which is investigating the labor union on charges of coercively demanding monthly fees from construction companies, has launched a forced investigation.

The Violent Crime Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Police Agency executed search warrants on the morning of the 18th at 11 locations, including the office of the Tower Crane Gwangju-Jeolla Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Construction Union and the homes of union members.

The police are investigating following a complaint from the Honam-Jeju Reinforced Concrete (Reinforced Concrete) Federation that the union and its members forcibly took 'monthly fees (illegal kickbacks at construction sites)' through coercion or threats.

So far, 36 union executives and members have been booked without detention and are under investigation. This search is interpreted as a measure to secure concrete evidence.

The police plan to analyze the seized items in detail and summon the booked individuals for questioning to clarify the charges.

Regarding the tower crane monthly fees, the companies claim that the operators are receiving them improperly like kickbacks.

The union refutes this, arguing that the fees are a form of bonuses and is currently pursuing lawsuits for the return of related unfair profits.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is conducting a special crackdown on illegal activities at construction sites for 200 days until June 25, together with the police.

They plan to investigate all past incidents, including the practice of monthly fees paid to tower crane operators, forced union membership by the construction union, and forced hiring.

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