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A meaningful Supreme Court ruling came out in a situation where the government and the labor world are in a tense confrontation.

During the 2009 strike at Ssangyong Motors, the government filed a lawsuit for damages claiming that equipment was broken because of the labor union.

In both the first and second trials, the responsibility of the union was acknowledged, but the Supreme Court made a different decision.



Reporter Han So-hee will tell you more details.



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On August 4, 2009, 75 days after Ssangyong Motor workers protested against the dismissal of 2,600 workers and locked the front gate of the Pyeongtaek plant, the police forcefully dispersed the workers.



Helicopters sprayed tear gas and cranes lifted containers to intimidate workers.



The unions fought back with iron pipes and homemade guns.



After the situation calmed down, the police filed a lawsuit for damages of 1.4 billion won against about 100 workers, claiming responsibility for the injuries to the police officer and the damage to the helicopter and crane.



The first and second trial judges judged that the workers should compensate the state for 1.1 billion won.



After 13 years of court battles, the Supreme Court decision was different.



The Supreme Court said, "There is a possibility that the police intentionally flying a helicopter low at the time to approach the workers and spraying tear gas in the air are illegal."



In addition, it was considered excessive to pay 80% of the repair costs for the damaged crane to the union, as in the centrifugal judgment.



Ssangyong Motor workers urged the state to withdraw the cattle.



[Kim Deuk-joong/Ssangyong Motors Branch Manager of the Metal Workers' Union: The police are now apologizing (if they want) for their violence and excessive suppression.



As much as it has given Ssangyong

Motor workers a long pain for 13 years, I want to give the country a chance to end the pain even at this moment.]

The final compensation is expected to be lower than 1.1 billion won.



(Video coverage: Kim Seung-tae, Video editing: Won-hee Won)