Govt. Institute Gets First-Ever Compensation from Protesters

A public institute received compensation for the first time, from leaders of a demonstration, for losses they inflicted during an illegal protest.

Busan city recently accepted a settlement of 28.3 million won from the leaders of a protest, staged on September 14, 2005, in front of Busan City Hall, for damage caused to the property, including broken windows.

Some 30 protesters broke 28 windows and a revolving door by throwing stones at the city hall, resulting in a repair bill of 40.4 million won.

Busan city filed a damages suit in February against two people involved in the protest: Lee, 39, secretary of Education and Publicity of the Korean Cargo Transport Workers Union (KCTWU), and Park, 36, the chief of the Organization Department of the KCTWU. The two were indicted by the prosecution on charges of inflicting damage to public buildings and violating the law of collective demonstration.

Without a settlement, Lee and Park were to receive a severe sentence given that the damage was serious and both had been convicted of violating the law of collective demonstration.

The two agreed to settle the case for 28.3 million won, 70 percent of the claimed damages in consideration of building depreciation, on May 21, prior to sentencing which was scheduled for June 1.

The compensation was paid from union fees of the KCTWU, according to sources. The money was remitted to the non-tax revenue account of Busan city which withdrew the compensation claim upon receiving the funds.

“Considering the nature of the rally, the KCTWU was responsible for paying the compensation,” said an official of the KCTWU. “We feel terribly sorry for inflicting damage on public property.”

Meanwhile, the Busan District Court sentenced a fine of seven million won to both Park and Lee on June 1.

silent@donga.com