Unionized civil servants, teachers summoned over political activities

civil servants summons-political activities


By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- Police said Wednesday that they have summoned 224
members of unions representing progressive teachers and public workers to
question them on their alleged illegal political activities and donations to the
minor progressive Democratic Labor Party (DLP).

The union members of the Korea Teachers and Education Workers' Union (KTU) and
the Korean Government Employees' Union (KGEU) are suspected of illegally engaging
in political activities by paying monthly membership fees to the DLP, officials
at Seoul's Yeongdeungpo Police Station said.
Civil servants and teachers are obliged by law to abstain from joining or
donating directly to political parties. Only indirect political contributions via
the Election Management Commission are permitted.
"We have secured evidence that proves their violation of the current law," a
police officer said, noting investigators obtained their account information
during a probe into participation by progressive teachers in anti-government
rallies last July.
In its initial move earlier this week, police have sent summonses to 69 of 290
ranking members of the KTU and KGEU on suspicion of having formally joined the
DLP or paid membership fees to the opposition party.
As the investigation continues, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said it will
expand the investigation nationwide to crack down on such political activities by
public workers ahead of local elections slated for June.
The government has repeatedly warned the unionized public workers not to engage
in any political or anti-government activities, arguing that doing so would
violated their obligation to stay politically neutral.
Last week, a local court slapped a fine of 3 million won (US$2,645) on a branch
chief of public worker's union for issuing an anti-government statement last
June.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)