(2nd LD) Civil servant union launched despite police raid

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By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- An integrated civil servants union Tuesday announced
its official launch and registered its establishment with the Labor Ministry,
despite a police raid on its union offices earlier in the day.
Formed through a merger of three separate unions representing government workers
in September, the Korean Government Employees' Union (KGEU) has escalated
tension with the Lee Myung-bak administration with its decision to join a
militant labor umbrella group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
Over 40 investigators raided the union's Seoul office on Tuesday morning,
confiscating computer files and documents. Police said they were looking into
allegations that the union was engaged in illegal activities, including the
distribution of leaflets calling for civil servants to join a street protest
organized by the KCTU.
"It is clearly excessive use of public power to raid the union office on the very
day of KGEU's official launch, and shows the government's attempts to cripple the
union," the KGEU said in a statement released later Tuesday.
"The government should stop its move to stifle public workers and engage in
dialogue to establish a democratic relationship with the KGEU," it said.
The Labor Ministry will decide whether to acknowledge it as a legal union within
three days, officials said.
Refusing to acknowledge the KGEU as a legal labor union, the labor and public
administration ministries have repeatedly warned the unionized civil workers not
to engage in any political or anti-government activities, arguing that doing so
would violate their obligation to stay politically neutral.
"We are looking into allegations that union members engaged in anti-government
rallies ahead of its official launch. If any of their illegal activities are
proven, we will take legal action," a police source said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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