"Samsung and Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, should officially declare the abolition of the no-labor union management and recognize labor union," said MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society on Sept. 28.
The Public Criminal Investigation Department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced on Sept. 27 that 32 former and incumbent Samsung executives, including Lee Sang-hoon, chairman of Samsung Electronics board of directors, who is considered the second man of the group, will be put to trial on charges of violating the labor union and labor relations coordination law. Lee and his family members were not indicted.
"The results are meaningful in that the prosecution officially confirmed Samsung Group's destruction of labor union across the company. This is the result of labor union and union members fighting for the union at the risk of their lives," MINBYUN said in a commentary released on the day.
“At the same time, it is too late to announce the outcome of the investigation. The prosecution`s announcement should have been before the deaths of Yum Ho-suk and Choi Jong-beom, former union members,” it commented.
It also expressed its position on future tasks, including investigating the key leadership of Samsung Group including Vice Chairman Lee, saying "The prosecution admitted that it had indicted only the masterminds, but those involved in the anti-constitutional organized crime should be prosecuted thoroughly to set a precedent."
“Until when will we be consistent with the old-fashioned and anti-constitutional attitude? How long will Samsung and Vice Chairman Lee stick to the labor union free management?" MINBYUN said, calling for the official abolition of the Samsung’s no-labor union management.