KCTU/KFCITU
63UNION MEMBERS STILL IN JAIL
1 UNION MEMBER DEAD
MORE THAN 200 MEMBERS INJURED
1 UNION MEMBER’S WIFE MISCARRIES
As of August 15, 2006---“Liberation Day” for Korea, 63 union members
still remain in jail for their participation in action supporting the
strike launched by the Pohang local union, an affiliate of the Korean
Federation of Construction Industry Trades Unions (KFCITU), KCTU.
Although the vast majority of those imprisoned are leaders of the Pohang
local union, four members of the national and local branches of the
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the General Secretary of the
KFCITU are also in jail. Despite the strike which began on July 1,
negotiations between the union and the sub contractors are still
proceeding forward, albeit in a turtle’s pace. The union’s main demands
are a 15% increase in wages, five-day work week, and better working
conditions.
Throughout the strike, the government’s actions have been to violently
stop the strike in order to protect the interests of POSCO, a major
leading South Korean company, where over 90% of the Pohang members work
through a series of sub contractors. The government at the urging of
the POSCO has sent in thousands of riot police to not only stop the
strike but also any demonstration the union coordinates even though it
has gained legal permits to hold rallies and marches. The police
violence has resulted in serious injuries to several members and
tragically it has caused a death and a miscarriage.
On August 1, 2006, Ha Jeun Keun, a 42 year old member of the Pohang
local union died due to a sever beating he suffered by the riot police
during a legal demonstration organized by the KFCITU on July 16.
Witnesses have stated that the police repeatedly beat Ha Jeung Keun in
the head with their metal shields. The police and the South Korean
government have yet to take full responsibility for these actions. The
union and the family of Ha Jeung Keun has asked the government to launch
a full and impartial investigation on the circumstances leading to the
death of Ha Jeung Keun, fully punish those responsible for his death,
and sufficiently compensate the family of Ha Jeung Keun. The family has
refused to proceed with any funeral ceremonies until the government
agrees to their demands. However, the government has to take any
responsibility. In fact, the media has questioned the union’s claims as
to the true nature of Ha Jeung Keun’s death.
In addition, on August 10, the union announced at a press conference
that XXX, wife of one of the union members who was participating in a
sit-down demonstration at POSCO headquarters tragically miscarried as a
result of violent confrontation with the riot police. On July 19 during
a demonstration coordinated by the KCTU Kyonggido Branch, she along with
close to 100 family members of the union marched towards POSCO
headquarters in an attempt to see their husbands, fathers, and sons;
however, the riot police forcibly stopped their peaceful march and a
confrontation between the riot police and the family members took place.
As a result of this confrontation XXX was hurt and immediately
hospitalized. At the time the doctors raised concerns about the status
of her unborn child and advised her to be careful. Unfortunately she
lost her child as a result of the riot police’s actions. The union
along with a number of women’s groups has launched a complaint against
the Human Rights Committee.
In one of the most recent rallies organized by the KCTU, the police
continued its violence as they attempted to forcibly stop the union
members in their efforts to march towards POSCO headquarters. 186 union
members were injured and some of them are still seeking medical
attention. 16 members were detained---a key leader of the KFCTIU was
forcibly pulled down from the union truck and immediately arrested. The
violence became so bad that even the Pohang citizens who were witnessing
the confrontation attempted to intervene on behalf of the union members.
The police response was to beat the Pohang citizens as well.
Despite the repression by both the government and POSCO, the Pohang
local union is committed to continue with their struggle until their
demands are fully met.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Send a protest letter (sample enclosed) to President Roh Moo Hyun at the
Blue House: 82-2-770-1690 (Fax) or e-mail at president cwd.go.kr Copies
should be sent to the Minister of Labor, Minister Kwon Ki-Hong at
82-2-503-9723 (Phone), 82-2-503-9772 (Fax) or e-mail at
m_molab molab.go.kr
Please send copies to the KCTU and the KFCITU.
KCTU Fax: +82-2-2635-1134 or email : inter kctu.org
KFCITU Fax : +82-2-843-1436 or email : jinsook66 gmail.com
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact:
For more information :
Lee Changgeun
International Director
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
Tel.: +82-2-2670-9234 Fax: +82-2-2635-1134
E-mail: inter kctu.org Web-site : http://kctu.org
2nd Fl. Daeyoung Bld., 139 Youngdeungpo-2-ga, Youngdeungpo-ku, Seoul
150-032 Korea
And
Lee Jin-sook
International Director
Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Union
Tel : +82-2-843-1432, +82-11-326-7597 Fax : +82-2-843-1436
Email : jinsook66 gmail.com