On June 16, the Gumi branch of the Ministry deployed over ten officials, including labor inspectors and digital forensics teams, to execute a search warrant at the company's liquidation office in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.
The raid is linked to a complaint alleging that Korea Optical High-Tech's refusal to negotiate with the labor union and the subsequent layoffs during the company's liquidation process following a factory fire constitute unfair labor practices.
The labor authorities plan to verify violations of labor relations laws, including the refusal to engage in collective bargaining and any discriminatory treatment, based on the materials obtained during the raid.
Since the factory fire in 2022, tensions have persisted between the labor union and management over issues such as job security and factory operations. The union claims that the company has refused to negotiate, citing the liquidation process, while the company maintains that its actions are based on business decisions.
This raid marks a significant step by labor authorities in addressing the allegations, and the scope of the investigation may expand depending on the analysis of the materials collected.
Lee Jong-bok, head of the Gumi branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stated, "The government is firmly committed to taking strict action against violations of labor relations laws in accordance with the law and principles. We will thoroughly investigate unfair labor practices that infringe on workers' rights, utilizing all available resources, including raids."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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