On the morning of 6 November 2015, some 200 police officers raided the headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU). Their pretext was a protest by striking drivers from the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division (KPTU-Truck Sol) who haul goods for the food products company Pulmuone. The strike had begun on 4 September to press for union recognition, decent work conditions and safety measures.
The police took files from the TruckSol office on the second floor of the KPTU’s building, and attempted to raid upper floors housing the KPTU secretariat and other KPTU-affiliated institutions, but were stopped by protesting union officers and members and supporters. The government also issued arrest warrants for a dozen KPTU-TruckSol officers and members. On 11 November seven KPTU TruckSol members were arrested in relation to these warrants and taken into custody.