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KCTU Calls for An International Day of Action on January 22, 2002

KCTU, in conjunction with the its metal workers affiliate (KMWF), the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF), and the Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR), makes this appeal for an international day of action for the release of imprisoned trade unionists in Korea.

We call on all friends to take action so that trade unionists in jail in Korea can be with their family and fellow workers in the new year. February 12 is new year's day by the Lunar Calendar. In Korea, it is a day when families gather together to reflect on the past year, give thanks to ancestors, and celebrate. Our hope is that all the imprisoned workers, including the KCTU President Dan Byung-ho and KCTU-KMWF President Mun Sung-hyun, are released, to join their loved ones.

Suggest actions on January 22, 2002

Protest demonstration in front of the Korean Embassies (or consulates)
Delivery of protest letter to the Embassies (or consulates)
Union meetings to speak about the situation of imprisonment and repression of workers in Korea

Reach out to other organisations - other trade unions, human rights groups, etc. Associate with the KCTU initiative to table a complaint on violation of freedom of association with the International Labour Organisation. Let us know of your plans for action (before Jan. 22) so that they receive due public attention in Korea.(And send us photos of your action as soon as possible.) In order to help various activities, the KCTU and the KMWF have produced a video documenting the repression meted out to workers by the Korean government.

Record of Imprisonment

At the end of 2001, 45 unionists are held in jail. This year a 10 year record of 241 nionists were put in jail. (A total of 275 unionists were imprisoned in 1992 under the then President Roh Tae Woo). On an average, 5 workers were put to jail per week this year.

The total number of workers, trade union leaders imprisoned under the government of President Kim Dae Jung is 686. An average 3 workers were arrested imprisoned per week in the 4 year's of President Kim Dae Jung.

This year, 50 workers were imprisoned in the course of mass retrenchment at the Daewoo Motors; 53 from Hyosung, Taekwang, Kohap synthetic fibre textile manufacturers in the course of structural adjustment; 11 from the banking sector as a result of financial sector restructuring. Half of the imprisonment resulted as workers and union protested the mass retrenchment in neoliberal structural adjustment drive.

What Kind of Workers Are They

34 workers from the "unprotected" sector were also imprisoned. They are mainly contract workers at the Korea Telecom, employees of in-house subcontract company working for the Career airconditioner manufacturer, and individual contractor drivers of "ready-mix concrete" delivery trucks. The upsurge in the imprisonment of "irregular" workers reflect the gross aggravation of workers rights and welfare in the continuing drive for labour market flexibility. Irregular workers have mainly fought for union recognition and extreme discrimination that they suffer.

The imprisonment figures demonstrate that the issues of retrenchment dismissals and "irregular" employment were the central concerns of workers and trade union movement in the context of single-minded government and employers neoliberal offensive.

What Has Happened to the Imprisoned Workers

Of the 241 workers imprisoned this year (as of December 28) most, apart from 45 remaining, have been released on various conditions: bond [facing trial without held in prison], suspended sentence [court hands down a guilty verdict and a prison sentence, but at the same time suspends the execution of the sentence], or found not guilty, or completion of the prison sentence.)

The "shortness" of they stay in prison reflects a cynical strategy on the part of the government. Workers and unionists are arrested and imprisoned while the union action is going on to dampen the resolve of the workers and to create difficulties in the leadership of the campaign. Once the "situation" ? restructuring, retrenchment, etc. ? is concluded, they are released. Thus the situation is one of a revolving door.

Among the remaining 45 unionists held in jail are the KCTU President Dan Byung-ho and KCTU-KMWF President Mun Sung-hyun.

The Imprisoned Leaders

KCTU President Dan Byung-ho has been indicted for illegal action on 16 occasions. His fifth imprisonment since he began trade union movement activism in 1987 (not counting the "return to jail" in August 2001) began on October 3, 2001, the day he was suppose to be released. (The background to his reincarceration is documented in earlier KCTU news bulletins.)

The president of the KCTU's largest affiliate, the Korean Metal Workers Federation (KMWF), Mr Mun Sung-hyun, was put to jail on November 23, 2001, following the sentencing session of his trial that began in October 2000. He was being tried without being held in jail. He was indicted for 5 cases of illegal action. The latest imprisonment is his sixth for his involvement in trade union movement.

Criminal Details

President Dan Byung-ho is charged for violation of 5 legal provisions on 16 occasions. The legal provisions are:

obstruction of business violation of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Adjustment Act
Law on Assembly and Demonstration causing injury in violation of public law and order tnforcement traffic law

President Dan is supposed have committed these illegal actions on 16 occasions. They are:

Scuffles and confrontation broke out in the course of the march following the mass meeting attended by more than 10,000 people

President Dan is to be held responsible for the violence or traffic violation in the course of the march
Public meeting in front of the National Police Agency, June 2, 2001 (case #13)

Small scale public protest meeting was held in front of the National Police Agency
Scuffles and confrontation broke out in the course of the protest demonstration attended by more than few hundred people
President Dan is to be held responsible for the violence or traffic violation in the course of the mass meeting
KCTU General Campaign Rally, June 12, 2001 (case #14)

KCTU held a mass meeting of its members as a part of a general campaign, which involved
Strikes by a number of unions and mass demonstrations, as a part of the KCTU campaign against neoliberal structural adjustment programme of the government
Scuffles and confrontation broke out in the course of the protest demonstration attended by thousands of people

President Dan is to be held responsible for the violence or traffic violation in the course of the mass meeting and the march
KCTU General Campaign, June 12, 2001

KCTU launched a general campaign which included strikes by a number of affiliated unions
Affiliated unions coordinated their industrial action schedule in their disputes involving collective bargaining agreement and wage campaign to contribute to the general demands of the KCTU addressed to the government, concerning structural adjustment policies
President Dan is charged to be guilty of inciting illegal strike as a part of the KCTU general campaign for having made a speech urging unionists at the following worksites to join in the campaign effort
The Seoul National University Hospital Workers (case #15)
The Korean Airline Pilots Union (case #16)
President Mun Sung-hyun of the KCTU-KMWF was found "guilty" of following illegal actions and sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment:

KMWF led strikes on 27-29 May, 1998

KMWF led strikes on 14-16 July, 1998

KMWF led strikes on 22 July, 1998

These strikes were part of the KCTU-led general strikes calling for employment security and a change in government policy of neoliberal structural adjustment that has led to mass retrenchment dismissals.
KMWF led strikes on 25-26 February 1999

KMWF organised a coordinated strike of its member unions to force the government change its restructuring policy, call for a change in the labour law to reduce the statutory working hours, and to press for "employment security agreement" as a part of collective bargaining agreement".
A warning strike of workers at the Hyundai Motors against the forced structural adjustment in the auto industry.

KMWF involvement in the KCTU-led general strike, May 12-15, 1999, aimed at forcing the government to change its neoliberal structural adjustment policy.

KMWF rally on February 27, 1998 (at the time, President Mun was a vice-president) where scuffle and confrontation broke out between some of the marching workers and the riot police.