The repression of the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU) continues, with 125 out of the union's 251 local offices now shut down, often welded shut with iron bars and plates.
Police raid a KGEU office
The Korean government declared the 140,000 member union illegal, after it refused to register under new union legislation curbing rights to strike and recruit. From September 22nd, the security services have been shutting down union offices and attacking members.
In the course of shutting the offices, 101 members and supporters of the KGEU have been arrested, with others hospitalised as the result of beatings by the police. Those arrested face charges under "obstruction of performance of official duties", facing prosecution for defending the unions offices from attack. Twelve leaders of the KGEU also have warrants outstanding for involvement in "illegal organisations".
Those arrested include students, workers from other unions, leftists, environmentalists, as well as KGEU members.
Workers have demonstrated (see picture, right) against police violence after one 5-month pregnant KGEU member fainted and was hospitalised following a police assault on one union office on Tuesday (10 October).
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