Police to Embark on Crackdown on 16 Union Leaders

Regarding the incident of labor strike at Cho Hung Bank, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accused a total of 15 union leaders including Huh Heung-jin, head of Cho Hung Bank unit for the Korea Financial Industry Union (FKTU) on charges of interference in the execution of duty, announcing that the agency would apply for arrest warrant the following day.

On the same day, Cho Hung Bank filed a suit against those 15 union leaders at Jung-bu Police Station in Seoul.

The police will embark on the crackdown of a total of 16, involved in the strike, as soon as arrest warrants are issued.

The police also issued a warning that any violent activities or occupancy in the bank‘s facilities during the strike would result in arrest in site.

Previously, Public Police Department at Seoul Supreme Prosecutors‘ Office (SPPO), after a consultative meeting with other agencies, announced its tough countermeasures on the day, which included an impromptu crackdown in case those accused refuse to serve the subpoena.

The prosecution said that it was considering calling Lee Nam-sun, president of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) in court for examination.

Wi-Yong Jung Jin-Goo Lee viyonz@donga.com sys1201@donga.com