Police enter Jogye Temple to nab labor union chief

By Kim Bo-eun

Police officers entered the Jogye Temple in central Seoul, Wednesday, to forcibly take Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) head Han Sang-gyun, who has taken refuge there, into custody.

They moved into the temple premises despite protests by KCTU members and temple officials, after they had earlier warned they would take action if Han did not voluntarily leave the place by 4 p.m.

While entering, officers physically clashed with some 200 temple officials who were standing as a “human barricade” between police and the building where Han was staying. Several of them sustained minor injuries.

Police had not entered the building as of 5 p.m. Nearly 1,000 police officers have surrounded the temple.