Police: KCTU ordered unions to support DLP

Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo Police said yesterday they are investigating the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions after obtaining evidence that the umbrella trade union led the teachers’ and public-service workers’ unions to engage in illegal political activities for the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party.

According to police, investigators last year obtained a notice of appointment of DLP representatives that was sent to the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union and the Korean Government Employees’ Union by the KCTU. Police allege the document ordered union members to cast votes for DLP representatives and executive members at the party convention.

Police are also looking into whether the KCTU violated laws governing political funds, as companies or groups are banned from making political donations to political parities.

Meanwhile DLP senior members, including supreme council member Lee Soo-ho, yesterday visited the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to condemn the investigation of the unions. “Investigators [told reporters] they will disclose the entire list of DLP members and that’s an obvious oppression of a political party,” senior members of the party said.

By Kim Jean-kyung, Kim Mi-ju