Court grants bail to union leader arrested during teacher reinstatement protest

A court has granted bail to Ko Jin-soo, a union leader who was detained for participating in protests demanding the reinstatement of a teacher fired after raising concerns about sexual harassment. The decision comes approximately two months after Ko's arrest warrant was issued on April 17, citing a risk of flight.

Judge Kim Soo-kyung of the Western Seoul District Court approved Ko's bail request on June 12, stating there were "significant reasons to grant bail." Conditions for his release include submitting a written pledge to appear in court as summoned and not to destroy evidence, restrictions on his place of residence, and a bail bond of 30 million won (approximately $21,500).

Ko was arrested on April 28 and subsequently indicted for allegedly trespassing into the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education with 11 other citizens on April 15 to support teacher Ji Hye-bok's high-altitude protest. He is also accused of damaging property during the incident. Prosecutors further charged Ko for refusing a police request to leave the lobby of the Sejong Hotel during a sit-in on February 2 and for obstructing police officers in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on April 1.

Ko, who had been held at the Southern Seoul Detention Center, had been on a hunger strike since May 22 to protest his detention and the charges against him. Prior to the bail hearing, a joint committee for the withdrawal of Sejong Hotel's layoffs held a press conference in front of the Western Seoul District Court, urging the court to grant Ko's bail request.