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2 August, 2001The union will concentrate on its campaign for rights of workers in "irregular" employment, the 5-day workweek, reform of the media and education, and issues regarding structural adjustment.
KOREA, REP: On August 2, 2001, the KCTU's leaders - President Dan Byung-ho, General Secretary Lee Hong-woo, KPSU-KCTU President Yang Kyung-kyu, Korean Association of Government Employees Works Council President Cha Bong-cheon - announced the end of their 35-day sit-in at Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul and went directly to metropolitan police headquarters. They had sought sanctuary at the cathedral after becoming the target of continued government trade union repression, highlighted by a police manhunt.
Dan Byung-ho was immediately imprisoned as the parole he was given upon his release from jail in August 1999 was cancelled on June 14. He will be forced to serve out the two months remaining in his previous sentence, related to his trade union activities, and will face fresh charges regarding trade union campaigns he has organised as the head of the KCTU. The other KCTU leaders are also being questioned by the police and face possible charges.
The goal of the sit-in by the KCTU leadership was to stem the massive repression of the trade union movement by the Kim Dae-jung government, which has seen the arrests of 179 trade unionists. Currently, 105 are still in prison, charged and facing trial or serving prison terms.
The KCTU will continue its campaign to bring about:
- an end to neoliberal structural adjustment and mass layoffs;
- improved legislation guaranteeing basic workers' rights and protections;
- reduction of working time (the five-day workweek);
- social reform for medical and health services, education, media, taxation.
The KCTU demands led to a multi-industry and multi-enterprise joint strike on June 12, a general strike on July 5, and a national mass rally on July 22. The confederation will hold a special National Congress in August to discuss and adopt a campaign plan for the remainder of the year.
Dan Byung-ho was immediately imprisoned as the parole he was given upon his release from jail in August 1999 was cancelled on June 14. He will be forced to serve out the two months remaining in his previous sentence, related to his trade union activities, and will face fresh charges regarding trade union campaigns he has organised as the head of the KCTU. The other KCTU leaders are also being questioned by the police and face possible charges.
The goal of the sit-in by the KCTU leadership was to stem the massive repression of the trade union movement by the Kim Dae-jung government, which has seen the arrests of 179 trade unionists. Currently, 105 are still in prison, charged and facing trial or serving prison terms.
The KCTU will continue its campaign to bring about:
- an end to neoliberal structural adjustment and mass layoffs;
- improved legislation guaranteeing basic workers' rights and protections;
- reduction of working time (the five-day workweek);
- social reform for medical and health services, education, media, taxation.
The KCTU demands led to a multi-industry and multi-enterprise joint strike on June 12, a general strike on July 5, and a national mass rally on July 22. The confederation will hold a special National Congress in August to discuss and adopt a campaign plan for the remainder of the year.