On 4 July 2016 a Seoul Central District Court handed down a five-year sentence to the president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Han Sang-gyun. The charges that led to his trial were brought by government prosecutors on 5 January 2016, and included the “obstruction of public duty”, “destruction of public goods”, “obstruction of traffic” and “hosting an assembly at a banned location”. The indictment specifically referred to activities organised by the KCTU, namely the rally to commemorate the Sewol Ferry Tragedy on 16 April 2014, a May Day demonstration, pension reform protest demonstrations on 6 and 28 May 2015 as well as protests against labour law reforms and the People’s Mass Rally on 14 November 2015. The prosecutors had requested an eight-year sentence on the basis of Han’s leadership of the KCTU.
Of all the events listed above, it was particularly the rally on 14 November 2015 protesting against the proposed labour reform of President Park Geun-hye that made him a government target. Tens of thousands of people took part in the rally, triggering a strong response from the authorities. Some 20,000 police were mobilised and tear gas and water cannon were used against the demonstrators. One protestor died after being hit at close range by water cannon, dozens were injured, some seriously, and criminal procedures were launched against 585 KCTU leaders and members, 20 of whom were taken into custody. KCTU Secretary General Lee Young-joo went into self-imposed house arrest at the KCTU headquarters after receiving an arrest warrant in December 2015.
After an appeal, Han’s sentence was commuted on 12 December 2016 from five years to three, with a fine of 500,000 Won (USD 430). The court dismissed charges related to the May Day rally.