Apologies by Police Follow the Breakup Of a Union March

Allegations of police brutality against Daewoo Motor labor union members Tuesday continues to stir controversy. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and civic groups held a protest rally at Bupyeong Subway station Friday to protest against the incident.

According to the union, about 350 labor union members headed to the union office at the Bupyeong factory at 1 p.m. Tuesday to demand reemployment. Their attempt to enter the factory grounds was legal, they said, based on an Inchon District Court preliminary ruling on April 6.

The members, however, encountered the riot police barring their way and violence ensued.

A lawyer for the Trade Union informed the police through a loudspeaker that blocking their movement violated the court's order. The police did not respond.

At about 4:30 p.m., union officials said, the police turned violent, allegedly randomly beating union members with clubs and shields.

The demonstration was broken up, but only after injuries to many union marchers.

Lee Moo-young, Commissioner General of National Police Agency, apologized to officials of the trade federation on Thursday and fired Kim Jong-won, head of Bupyeong Police Precinct.

Min Seung-kee, chief of the Inchon Municipal Police Agency, visited Serim Hospital Friday to visit laid-off union members who were injured during the melee.

The national police agency said it would take measures against police officials who were involved in the case, after an investigation.

A police statement added, "We will respect the court's decision and will not prevent labor union members from entering the union office." But police "will not allow members to enter the office if they carry weapons."

by Chung Young-jin