A son of the president set fire to a tent of union members picketing the workplace

A son of the president of a company at dispute set fire a tent of union members picketing the workplace. Three union members were sleeping there so there were chances of causing casualties.

The arson took place at the Sam-Hwan Transportation Company Ltd., which conducted lockout and, since then, has been undergoing severe conflict with its union for more than four months. Corporal Hong, the arsonist, a son of owner of the company and a soldier on service, was reported to still be serving in the army without any penalty.

The union says Corporal Hong came to the tent and called workers names around 11 p.m. on November 12. About 5 hours later he revisited the site with one friend to set fire

Union members caught him in the scene and handed him over to the police. But two days later, on November 15, Hong Jong-Kuk, president of the company and his father, stood guarantee for him and he was taken over to his regiment. He is still doing his service in the army without any punishment.

Corporal Hong continuing to serve in the army

“Arrest an arsonist, a violator, and a would-be murderer Corporal Hong right now,” Korean Transport Workers’ Union claimed on December 4.

“How can such a felony, who would have killed people, avoid confinement and continue his service at army?” it asked and pointed out “It should be made clear it can be a norm that one caught committing crime get off arrestment or there is any conspiracy.”

While the union has considered the claim of arrestment carefully saying “It can devastate the whole life of a youth,” his father, however, is known to take firm stance on the matter boasting “Arrest him, if you can.”

“He has been scorning us the helpless workers behind the hint of a bigwig,” said the union and “we cannot help but deciding that the army is confessing there is an illegal connection if the army doesn’t take any measure.”

translated by Cho Eun-seok