'51-Day Strike' Former Daewoo Shipbuilding Subcontractor Union: "We Are Innocent, Will Appeal"

The former subcontractor branch of the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering labor union (now Hanwha Ocean), which was sentenced to a suspended prison term and fines in the first trial on charges of obstructing work through a long-term strike, including occupying the shipyard, has expressed its intention to appeal.

The Metal Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Gyeongnam Branch, Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch, held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 26th, stating, "The 51-day strike in 2022 was to improve the low wages, discrimination, and poor working conditions of shipyard subcontracted workers," and added, "We will appeal to have the legitimacy of that strike recognized."

It is also understood that the prosecution has appealed, arguing that the sentence handed down by the first trial court was too lenient.

Kim Hyung-su, chairman of the Geoje·Tongyeong·Goseong shipbuilding subcontractors branch of the Metal Workers' Union Gyeongnam branch, is speaking. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

Earlier, on the 19th, Judge Kim Jin-oh of the Criminal Division 2, Tongyeong Branch, Changwon District Court, sentenced Kim Hyung-soo, chairman of the Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch, who was indicted on charges including obstruction of business, to three years in prison with a four-year suspended sentence and a fine of 1 million won.

Yu Choi-an, vice chairman of the Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch, was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year suspended sentence, and the other union members received suspended prison sentences and fines.

They were tried on charges of obstructing management operations by occupying the dock, a shipbuilding site, during a 51-day strike at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Geoje Yard Okpo Shipyard from June 2, 2022.

The first trial court stated, "The defendants exceeded a reasonable extent guaranteed by labor rights during the assembly process, committing obstruction of business and confinement with many union members, and considering the extent of the damage, the nature of the crime is not light."

However, it added, "Considering comprehensively that there was a public interest purpose such as improving the poor working conditions and economic quality of subcontracted workers rather than personal gain," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Kim Ilsik, head of the Metal Workers' Union Gyeongnam Branch, is stating the legitimacy of the strike and expressing his intention to appeal. Photo by Lee Seryeong

Kim Ki-dong, a lawyer from the Metal Workers' Union Legal Office who defended the subcontractor branch, claimed at this press conference, "The first trial court said that subcontracted workers blocked the entrance to the workplace during the strike and occupied the shipyard to obstruct the launching work, but that is not true."

"At that time, there were two ships in the workplace; one was somewhat completed, but the other had not even undergone outer hull welding, so launching work could not be performed," he explained, adding, "Outer hull work was sufficiently possible, and there was no action to obstruct it."

He also said, "There was more than one entrance to the workplace, and it was possible to enter through other access points."

He added, "Claiming that launching work and access to the workplace were obstructed for a ship that was not ready for launching is a scheme to label workers' industrial actions as illegal."

Chairman Kim Hyung-soo stated, "Myeong Tae-gyun, who is suspected of interfering with candidate nominations, was present at the site during the 2022 strike," and claimed, "The collusion between President Yoon and Mr. Myeong trampled on workers, violated their rights, and suppressed workers' claims by wielding a distorted legal standard."

He added, "We will fight to not succumb to such fascism," and said, "Starting with the acquittal of the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch, a great social reform must be achieved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.