16 arrested for protesting at Seoul's Sejong Hotel demanding reinstatement

A group of 16 individuals, comprising laid-off Sejong Hotel workers and their supporters, have been referred to prosecutors on charges of joint trespassing and obstruction of business for their prolonged sit-in protest in the hotel's lobby.

The protests, which took place from January 14 to February 2, were a demand for the reinstatement of 12 workers, including union leader Ko Jin-soo, who were dismissed in 2021. The hotel cited financial difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for closing its food and beverage division, leading to the layoffs.

Ko Jin-soo himself had previously engaged in a 336-day rooftop protest atop a traffic structure outside the hotel before participating in the lobby sit-in. The current legal action follows a complaint filed by a private business operating within the hotel, which alleged business losses due to the lobby occupation. Police had previously summoned and investigated seven individuals, including two union members, activists, and citizens, in connection with this complaint.

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The police are unilaterally siding with the company. This was an extremely legitimate part of union activities demanding that the real owner, Ju Myung-geon, come out for negotiations and solve the problem. The business activities of the private operator and Sejong Hotel were conducted within a normal scope.

Further escalation occurred on February 2 when 12 individuals, including Ko Jin-soo, a union member, activists, and citizens, were arrested as they protested the hotel's decision to lease its banquet hall to a private business, despite previously stating they had no plans to operate it. This action by the hotel was seen by protesters as a provocation.

The joint committee for the dismissal of Sejong Hotel workers condemned the police's actions, stating they are "unilaterally siding with the company." The committee argued that the protests were a legitimate part of union activities demanding that the actual owner, Ju Myung-geon, the honorary chairman of Daeyang Hakwon (Sejong Hotel's major shareholder), negotiate to resolve the issue. They asserted that the business activities of the private operator and Sejong Hotel were within a normal scope. The committee urged prosecutors to drop all charges against the 16 individuals, stating that the true culprits are Ju Myung-geon's family, the Daeyang Hakwon board, and Sejong Hotel management.

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Prosecutors must drop all charges against the 16 individuals sent to them. Those who should be punished are the main culprits who brought the situation to this point: Ju Myung-geon's family, the Daeyang Hakwon board, and Sejong Hotel management.