Aggregated News

Labor unions denounce the prosecution’s move to collect DNA samples of unionists found guilty of violence during strikes.

The criticism came as the prosecution recently issued summons to collection samples of six unionists.

The law which went into effect last July allows the prosecution to establish a national DNA databases to combat the repeat of serious crimes such as those committed by serial killers and child rapists.

But unions and human rights groups claim the excessive application of the law violates the human rights of unionists and it is another way to suppress unionists and their labor union action.

“By unnecessarily expanding the collection of DNA samples, prosecutors treat unionists like murderers and rapists,” said Kang Ji-hyun, an official from the Korean Metal Workers’ Union. “It is also used to suppress unionists and their collective action in the future.”

He demanded the prosecution stop abusing the law.

The six unionists who were on the sampling list include three workers from Ssangyong Motor and two unionists from the automaker’s subcontractor.

The five have been recently convicted of violence as they were...