Union workers probed for illicit political funding

Prosecutors instructed the police to closely investigate illicit political fund allegations of the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers`, and the Korean Government Employees` Unions.

"The charges constitute a serious breach of public security," said an official of the Supreme Prosecutor`s Office.

The Seoul Youngdeungpo Police Station summoned for questioning late on Monday 69 members of the two unions for charges of joining the minority Democratic Labor Party or offering political funds to the party, stated officials.

Government officials or teachers are forbidden to join political parties or to raise political funds, according to the Constitution and the civil servant law.



While leading the investigation on 800 KTEU members who breached the National Security Law by issuing an antigovernment statement last July, investigators found evidence of illegal political activity involving 290 members, said officials.

The case will be dealt with in the criminal court if enough evidence is gathered, said prosecution officials.

The unions protested and accused the prosecution of excessively expanding the original investigation.

Investigators` hard-handed policies on the unions are expected to affect the related pending cases. Since last year`s statement, a total of 105 members of both unions have been indicted, with most still waiting for the lower court`s ruling.

The courts have so far handed down varied rulings, with the Busan District Court ruling a KGEU member was guilty of charges and the Jeonju District Court acquitting four other KTEU members.

"The charges of illicit political activities are separate from the unions` previous antigovernment statement charges, but will nevertheless act as supporting evidence in the related trials," said a prosecution official.

Prosecutors earlier claimed that the KTEU members had acted as an organized political body and not as individuals when issuing their statement.



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By Bae Hyun-jung