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The Republic of Korea is a free, democratic state, governed by laws. But, what's going on in this society of late makes many people skeptical about this constitutional fact.
Where have all the law enforcement authorities gone? The ceaseless violent acts of militant unionized workers are going beyond boundaries.
The police appear to be helpless. Officers are just looking on at the unionists' violence and illegal activities with folded arms. Judges are too lenient in taking legal action.
The latest violent acts of the unionized workers from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, dubbed "Minnochong," reminded me of the 1954 Elia Kazan's best Academy picture, "On the Waterfront," focusing on union violence and corruption among longshoremen.
The militant umbrella of "democratic" trade unions also brought to me a recollection of the 2000 British ballet drama film set in Northeast England during the 1984-85 coalminers' strike under the conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The two films, of course, have nothing to do with the recent labor situation here in terms of the character of the union activities. Yet, the 2019 nonfiction in the Republic of Korea well contrasts to the two fictional dramas, though based on the then reality, in that the law and order are thoroughly ignored today.
Some 500 unionized workers of Minnochong at Hyundai Heavy Industries are occupying a community cultural center in Ulsan reserved for the company's shareholders' meeting slated for today in their violent protest against their firm's proposed takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, humiliating an earlier court ruling.
The Ulsan court ruled Monday that it was illegal for the union to block the entrance of shareholders into the meeting place and disturb the meeting in any manner, noting that violators would be fined 50 million won for each offense.
However, the union, rejecting the ruling at once, claimed that a "right-minded" judicial branch can't make such a decision. Their illegal occupation of the community center is also shutting down a foreign school, fitness facility and entertainment complex in the same building.
The continuing violence has already hurt many employees of Hyundai Heavy Industries and police officers, with the management vowing to take legal action over the union's violent rallies and illegal strikes.
Earlier on May 22, the unionized workers injured 36 police officers in the course of attempting to illegally enter the company's Seoul office, but few have been booked criminally, eventually encouraging their illegal activities. They seem not to give a toss even to the court, not to speak of the police.
What has made it possible for the Minnochong unionists to hold their heads so high without any fear of breaking the law just for the interests of their own?
The Moon Jae-in government is definitely responsible for this new kind of "deep-rooted evil," as it has virtually assumed the attitude of an onlooker amid the illegal and violent acts, apparently regarding them as its ardent supporting force.
Police officers on the criminal scene have no recourse but to "be unconditionally patient" in any situation against the unionists' violence under the bizarre guidelines on how to cope with protests and rallies. A policeman, who was battered mercilessly by the unionists, confessed that it would be better for him to be beaten, rather than being punished for suppressing the protestors.
Apparently ashamed of this "unbelievable" situation, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, vowed Tuesday to take due legal action against the lawless acts of the unionized workers. I hope he will keep his word without fail.
The Moon administration should keep in mind the public question: "Does it have have weak points seized upon by Minnochong? or "Does it owe too much to the unionists for its success in the previous presidential election?"
Who will be standing against the truth that the rights and interests of workers, who make the basic pillars of this country with less natural resources, must be protected and secured under any circumstances?
The hitherto "magnificent" trade unions must recognize that they cannot exist without their employers, from either small or big enterprises. Employing workers is the right of employers, not the trade unions.
People will applaud only when trade unions make efforts to seek their interest in a peaceful and reasonable manner according to the law. Otherwise, they will lose public support. They should be magnificent only in fulfilling their given duties and keeping the law.
Park Moo-jong (emjei29@gmail.com) is a standing adviser of The Korea Times. He served as the president-publisher of the nation's first English daily newspaper from 2004 to 2014 after working as a reporter since 1974.
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