What Will Be the Outcome of the Disciplinary Action Against the Head of Branch A of the Jongno-gu Public Officials Union?

Jongno-gu Reports Police for Non-Compliance with Public Officials' Union Act and Demands Severe Disciplinary Action from Seoul City for Violation of Local Public Officials' Service Regulations

Seoul City Holds Personnel Committee Meeting on the Afternoon of the 24th to Hear Both Sides... Results Expected Within Three Weeks

The disciplinary action against the head of the A branch of the Jeongongno (National Public Officials Labor Union) in Jongno-gu was discussed at the Seoul City Personnel Committee on the afternoon of the 24th.

The Seoul City Personnel Committee meeting was convened following Jongno-gu's request for severe disciplinary action against the A branch head for dereliction of duty.

The disciplinary results from Seoul City are expected to take about three weeks.

Jongno-gu stated that since the launch of the 8th elected administration, the A branch head has continuously engaged in acts violating laws and regulations, obstructing the normal performance of public duties in Jongno-gu, and paralyzing administrative functions. Consequently, on April 28, Jongno-gu filed a police report. It was explained that these illegal acts have damaged the trust in Jongno-gu and seriously infringed upon the rights and interests that residents should enjoy. Furthermore, earlier this year, the former branch head held a rally criticizing the district administration during a high school graduation ceremony in the area, in front of students and their families, shamelessly attempting to tarnish the district mayor’s reputation and depriving students and families of precious memories and happiness as they took their first steps into society. It was also explained that the branch head conducted illegal protests with baseless criticism of the district administration and attempts to disgrace the district head during the New Year's greeting events held while touring 17 community service centers within Jongno-gu.

Jongno-gu stated that, in accordance with Article 7, Paragraph 2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Labor Unions for Public Officials (regarding the status of union full-time officers), it has requested the A branch head four times to either take a leave of absence to act as a full-time union officer or, if continuing to receive public official salary without leave, to return to active duty and faithfully perform duties while conducting union activities after working hours. However, the A branch head delayed or refused to comply with the legitimate order to return to work and continued illegal activities.

Jongno-gu emphasized that while it respects labor unions engaging in lawful activities as partners in healthy public administration, it will firmly respond in the interest of public welfare against outdated practices of illegality and circumvention of laws that originated in the harsh conditions of early labor movements and persist even today despite the establishment of relevant legal frameworks, as stated at the time of the police report.

On the same afternoon, Jeongongno held a nationwide public officials' union rally at Seoul City Hall to fight against the disciplinary action against the A branch head.

Article 7 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Labor Unions for Public Officials (Status of Union Full-Time Officers)

① Public officials may engage exclusively in union work with the consent of the appointing authority.

② Those who engage exclusively in union work with such consent [hereinafter referred to as “full-time officers”] must be ordered to take a leave of absence pursuant to Article 71 of the National Public Officials Act or Article 63 of the Local Public Officials Act during that period.

③ The state and local governments shall not pay salaries to full-time officers during their full-time period.

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