Store stirs controversy by blocking labor union members, hinting at widespread discomfort associated with the term ‘labor’ traceable to Cold War-era fears
A video showing people wearing labor union jackets being turned away at a major Seoul department store has sparked nationwide controversy, with some experts saying the incident reveals the persistent stigma surrounding unionized workers in the country.
Lotte Department Store on Saturday issued an official apology for an incident at the store’s Jamsil branch, in which a security guard stopped members of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union from dining there last Wednesday. The workers were wearing union vests with the words “Metal Workers’ Union” and red headbands bearing the word “fight,” a common symbol in Korea’s labor movement.
Lotte Department said the security staff’s response to the workers -- telling them to "observe a certain level of etiquette" -- was excessive and promised to revise its guidelines to prevent similar incidents.
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