KCTU official blocked from visiting North

The Ministry of Unification approved visits to North Korea by 39 members of the nation¡¯s two umbrella labor unions Thursday, authorizing them to attend an inter-Korean workers¡¯ forum to be held Dec. 11-14 at North Korea¡¯s Mt. Kumgang.

The leading members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) are scheduled to attend the unification forum of South and North Korean workers along with members of the North Korean Chosun Trade Confederation.

Attendees include FKTU chairman Lee Nam-Soon and KCTU head Dan Byung-Ho.

The ministry did not allow Lee Kyu-Jae, chairman of the KCTU unification committee, to visit the North owing to a prosecution investigation suspicions that he violated the National Security Law. The suspicions relate to his participation in an inter-Korean workers¡¯ soccer game in August.

The KCTU expressed bewilderment at the government¡¯s action, saying Lee was investigated by prosecutors but was not charged. The union also complained that authorities have not informed it of the progress of the investigation.

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com