Executive confronts metal union members at Miryang workplace

Police arrest suspect on public intimidation charges

Participants hold placards at a rally of 10,000 Korean Metal Workers' Union officials near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]
Participants hold placards at a rally of 10,000 Korean Metal Workers' Union officials near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]

By Jung Joo-won, The Herald Business

A company executive has been arrested after spraying flammable liquid during a standoff with union members at a workplace in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province.

Police said Monday that the Miryang Police Station arrested a man in his 50s, identified only as A, on charges of public intimidation after he sprayed flammable liquid on himself and inside the workplace. He is being held for questioning.

A was at his workplace in Hanam-eup, Miryang, at around 10:10 a.m. Monday when about 30 members of the Korean Metal Workers' Union attempted to enter the premises. He allegedly sprayed the flammable liquid during the ensuing confrontation.

Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident and the suspect's motive. The South Gyeongsang chapter of the Korean Metal Workers' Union said in a statement Monday that members had gathered at the site to conduct a safety inspection following a workplace accident on June 17, in which a worker was seriously injured after being pinned under a forklift.

The union also said the executive who sprayed the flammable liquid was the company's chief bargaining representative in negotiations with the union, and called the incident "a crime that threatened lives and undermined legitimate union activity."

The union added that it would seek on-site improvements and legal action over any violations of law uncovered during the safety inspection. It said the flammable substance A used is believed to have been methyl alcohol, or methanol.


jookapooka@heraldcorp.com