Union Leader Arrested While Supporting Protest for Dismissed Teacher

The arrest and detention of Ko Jin-soo, a prominent union leader at the Shilla Seoul hotel, has sparked outrage among labor rights advocates and solidarity groups. Ko was taken into custody for allegedly trespassing at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education while participating in a protest supporting Ji Hye-bok, a teacher dismissed for whistleblowing on sexual violence issues within the school system.

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Ko Jin-soo, who was arrested for protesting for the reinstatement of dismissed teacher Ji Hye-bok, has been sent to prosecutors in custody.

The circumstances surrounding Ko's arrest have drawn criticism. While police claim he entered the building's lobby to aid Ji's high-altitude protest, a previous arrest warrant sought against him for 'high-altitude protest activities' was reportedly dismissed. This suggests a pattern of aggressive policing against labor activists and those supporting whistleblowers, raising concerns about the suppression of dissent.

Solidarity groups, including the joint committee for the withdrawal of Shilla Hotel's layoffs, have organized press conferences demanding Ko's immediate release. They emphasize that Ko, a laid-off hotel worker himself, is being targeted for standing in solidarity with another worker fighting for justice. The narrative presented is one of corporate and state power clamping down on legitimate labor activism and the pursuit of accountability for wrongdoing.

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Ko Jin-soo was arrested for allegedly entering the first-floor lobby of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education at around 4 a.m. on the 15th to assist Ji's high-altitude protest.

The Hankyoreh's reporting highlights the perceived injustice faced by Ko and the broader implications for labor rights in South Korea. The article underscores the courage of individuals like Ji Hye-bok and Ko Jin-soo who challenge powerful institutions, and the risks they face. The focus on Ko's prior arrest warrant being dismissed suggests a potential overreach by authorities, framing the current detention as an escalation of pressure against labor movements.

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The police had applied for arrest warrants for three people, including Ko Jin-soo, but the Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant only for Ko Jin-soo, citing 'risk of flight'.