Civil servant fined for engaging in anti-government campaign

BUSAN, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean court on Wednesday slapped a fine of 3
million won (US$2,645) on a civil servant for engaging in an anti-government
rally in violation of the law on government employees' political neutrality.

The 46-year old employee, who has served as a branch chief of a public workers'
union in Busan, had been indicted for issuing statement critical of the
government at a rally held in Seoul last June along with 20 some union members.
The Busan District Court said the rally was not aimed at improving public
workers' condition, but it was rather to "sympathize" with the progressive
teachers' assembly, as part of a series of anti-government campaigns.
"This kind of political activity runs counter to the public workers' office
regulations that require government workers to stay politically neutral," the
court said in its verdict.
The ruling came one day after a local court ruled in favor of four teachers who
participated in an anti-government campaign with left-leaning union during the
same time.
In the contrary ruling, the Jeonju District Court said their activity was not
against public good, but it was criticizing the government as a citizen, which
applies to the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
The government last November revised the law on civil servants' obligations to
prohibit them from criticizing the government or interfering with policy planning
under the name of a labor union or other forms of groups.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)

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