KMWU announce national strikes against anti-labour policies21 April, 2023On 19 April 2023, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) staged a mass protest and announced two nation-wide strikes on 31 May and in July. Korean metal unions argue that the policies will weaken workers' rights and make it harder to organize and negotiate with employers.
Korea: union offices raided20 January, 2023The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) had their offices raided twice this week, by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), alleging that members of KCTU violated the National Security Act.
KMWU demands labour law reform20 December, 2022A number of Korean union leaders have been on hunger strike in freezing temperatures outside the National Assembly in Seoul since end of November, demanding labour law reform to stop employers suing workers for strike damages.
Korean shipyard worker reinstated after 37-year struggle20 April, 2022After 37 years of struggle, Korean unionist Kim, Jin-Suk has been reinstated at the Yeongdo shipyard in Busan.
Korean unions use Squid Game to mobilize for general strike22 October, 2021The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions used the popular Netflix series Squid Game in a video to mobilize workers to join the 20 October general strike.
General strike in Korea for workers’ rights and Just Transition21 October, 2021Korean unions, led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), staged a general strike across the country on 20 October to protest attacks on freedom of association, demand union rights, and to call for a Just Transition. IndustriALL Global Union affiliates the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) and Korea Chemical & Textile Workers’ Federation (KCTF) joined the strike.
IndustriALL Global Union condemns arrest of KCTU president YANG Kyeung-soo and demands his immediate release4 September, 2021IndustriALL Global Union is outraged over the arrest of KCTU president YANG Kyeung-soo in the early hours of 2 September. The arrest came after Korean police raided the KCTU headquarters, dragging out YANG Kyeung-soo.
KMWU concludes first industry-level transformation agreement with Korean employers19 August, 2021After four months of negotiations and a national warning strike, IndustriALL affiliate Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) has reached the first industry-level agreement on industrial transformation in Korea with the Korean Metal Industry Employers’ Association.
Myanmar and Korean workers strike to commemorate 1988 uprising12 August, 2021Myanmar and Korean trade unionists affiliated with IndustriALL Global Union joined a strike on 8 August to commemorate the 1988 people’s uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, and to call for the defeat of the current regime.
IndustriALL Hyundai/Kia trade union network – a platform for global solidarity 8 June, 2021When the IndustriALL Hyundai/Kia trade union network met on 17-18 May, the question if ILO core labour standards will ultimately lead to transnational social dialogue at the Korean automaker was discussed.
