The labor union of public servants, considered by the government to be an illegal organization, decided Saturday to have it legalized.
The decision came about as 350 members of the Korean Government Employees' Union, along with its President Kwon Seung-bok, held a general meeting Saturday evening and agreed to legalize the union through a vote, the union announced Sunday.
The board voted 85-to-70 in favor of the legalization.
Prior to the vote, Kwon and other top board members abdicated their positions, gesturing support for the union to restart as a legal body.
In September, the union will elect a new president and board members, and in October will submit an application for the establishment of a legal labor union to the Ministry of Labor.
Established in 2002, the union used to be the largest, with more than 100,000 members. However, its strength has declined, following an ongoing internal dispute over its legality and increased pressure from the government.
Owing to the decision, union members in the government sectors of legislation, judicature and administration are expected take a stronger collective action.