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18 October, 2001A KCTU report shows current figures for arrests and imprisonment carried out by the Kim Dae-jung government.
KOREA, REP: The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has published an updated report of imprisoned trade unionists in the Republic of Korea. So far in 2001, a total of 218 trade union activists have been arrested and sent to jail, of whom 67 are still in prison.
The report documents the number of activists who were sent to jail under past regimes, going back to 1988, and compares these numbers with the arrests made by the present government of Kim Dae-jung.
The KCTU points out that, in 2001, the main legal provision used for arresting trade unionists is "obstruction of business". Over half of those arrested, charged and imprisoned this year were dealt with under this provision, and the government is stepping up the use of this so-called violation to criminalise and punish trade unions and their leaders, despite ILO recommendations and many international trade union complaints. Use of "obstruction of business" is mostly related to the strike actions taken by unions opposed to the government's massive, unilateral restructuring measures.
The full report, which can be accessed on the KCTU website, gives all the facts and figures about these arrests, as well as a list of names of both those who have been detained and are awaiting trial and those who are serving a prison sentence.
The KCTU is appealing for international solidarity support for the release of these trade unionists, among whom is the confederation's president, Dan Byung-ho. Access the associated link to visit the special webpage for the campaign to free the KCTU president.
The report documents the number of activists who were sent to jail under past regimes, going back to 1988, and compares these numbers with the arrests made by the present government of Kim Dae-jung.
The KCTU points out that, in 2001, the main legal provision used for arresting trade unionists is "obstruction of business". Over half of those arrested, charged and imprisoned this year were dealt with under this provision, and the government is stepping up the use of this so-called violation to criminalise and punish trade unions and their leaders, despite ILO recommendations and many international trade union complaints. Use of "obstruction of business" is mostly related to the strike actions taken by unions opposed to the government's massive, unilateral restructuring measures.
The full report, which can be accessed on the KCTU website, gives all the facts and figures about these arrests, as well as a list of names of both those who have been detained and are awaiting trial and those who are serving a prison sentence.
The KCTU is appealing for international solidarity support for the release of these trade unionists, among whom is the confederation's president, Dan Byung-ho. Access the associated link to visit the special webpage for the campaign to free the KCTU president.