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| Han Sang-gyun, center, head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), walks toward a patrol car to be transferred to the prosecution from Namdaemun Police Station, Seoul, Friday. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent the opinion to prosecutors that he should be indicted for sedition for allegedly organizing an illegal rally on Nov. 14. / Yonhap |
By Jhoo Dong-chan
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has sent Han Sang-gyun, head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) to the prosecutors with the opinion that he should be indicted for sedition.
If prosecutors indict him on such a charge, it will be the first time in 29 years after a suspect was charged with sedition in 1986 for violently clashing with police during democratic rallies against the Chun Doo-hwan government.
By law, police can launch preliminary investigations on their own but the prosecution must supervise them. Also, only prosecutors have the right to charge suspects.
Including sedition, Han faces a total of nine other charges such as organizing unapproved rallies, disobeying orders to disperse, obstructing traffic, interfering with official duties and damaging public property.
If convicted of sedition, violators can face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 15 million won ($12,695).
Han surrendered to the police on Dec. 10 after his nearly month-long refuge in Jogye Temple, central Seoul.
"The police reviewed a lot of evidence, including citizens' reports, thoroughly and objectively and decided to seek sedition charges against Han for illegally organizing the violent anti-government rally on Nov. 14," a police officer said.
"We have confirmed that the violent activities that erupted during the rally were not accidental but rather a deliberate outcome masterminded by the KCTU leaders."
The police are expected to request arrest warrants for other KCTU leaders who helped organize and participate in the Nov. 14 rally.
The KCTU immediately condemned the police's decision to charge Han with sedition.
"The police are trying to make as many charges as possible against Han so they can destroy him," KCTU spokesman, Park Seong-sik, said.
"The government's malicious attempt to demonize the KCTU, which has fought for the rights of the nation's 20 million workers, will not succeed. Their attempts will face a stern judgment by history."
Meanwhile, the KCTU has prepared for a third anti-government rally where they will march from Gwanghwamun Plaza to Daehangno, central Seoul, today.
The KCTU leaders ordered its union members to bring noise makers such as percussion instruments and kkwaenggwari, a Korean traditional instrument, to make disturbances in protest of the police charges against Han.
The police said they will swiftly respond if the rally turns violent.
