A spokesman for the North Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's
Reunification (Pomminryon) issued a statement Monday denouncing the Lee Myung
Bak regime of south Korea for suppressing people after faking up a spy ring
case.
The statement said:
The Lee group of traitors let the Intelligence Service and the Security
Investigation Group raid and search houses and offices of more than 10
personages working in the field of labour, and in political and academic
circles, on absurd charges that they have been conducting "espionage and had
formed an underground party" on the "instruction of the north". They even
arrested one of them by invoking the draconian "National Security Law."
The puppet regime seeks to suppress officials of the South Headquarters of
Pomminryon and even opposition parties, with charges that they are linked with
the "Iljin Association case."
They went the lengths of asserting that the Institute of University Education of
south Korea, known to monitor the university students' actions, has something to
do with the "Iljin Association case", as it has halved its registration fee and
registration fees issued. They are censoring data, computers and even their
notebooks. They are also persecuting workers’, youth and university students'
organizations, including the Meeting of Workers for Democracy, the Jeju Youth
Association and the Kangrung Youth Association, and then marching individuals
off by invoking the National Security Law.
It is a trite method used by the south Korean regime to fake up a spy ring case
and intensify their crackdown whenever it faces a ruling crisis.
The recent spy ring case and crackdown are aimed at calming public resentment
caused by the regime's domestic and foreign policy failure, economic depression,
deteriorating livelihood and escalating anti-reunification confrontation with
the north. They are also aimed at diverting people's criticism and prolonging
their remaining days.
They are a last-ditch effort to crackdown on the struggle of progressive and
democratic forces that wish to punish the conservative regime at the "National
Assembly" and "presidential" elections due next year, who want to stay in power
come what may.
South Koreans are becoming increasingly critical of the crackdown, describing it
as a "last-ditch effort of the dictatorial regime" and "an attempt to smash
progressive political parties and civic and public organizations before the
elections."
The crackdown will only harden the people's pledge to bring down the
conservative regime.
Various organizations and people of all social standings in south Korea should
turn out in the struggle for the repeal of the National Security Law, the worst
law violating human rights, for the release of those who have been forcibly
detained, and to overthrow the Lee regime seeking fascism and confrontation with
the north by hatching all sorts of plots.
The Lee regime has pursued an unpopular rule and resorted to fascist suppression
while hatching plots against the DPRK and fanning up an atmosphere of war and
confrontation since the very day of its seizure of power. It will not be able to
escape stern punishment by history for those thrice-cursed crimes.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Thursday 14 July 2011
TEAR GAS REPUBLIC ATTACKS WORKERS
Recently the (bourgeois) Korea Times 'reported' the following: "Thousands of protestors violently clashed with police during an overnight rally Sunday as they attempted to get into the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction in Busan to support striking workers there..."
But in reality they just wanted to march through the almost deserted streets to reach the area near the shipyard, to end the protest day/night with a CULTURE FESTIVAL... But finally they were attacked by thousands of riot cops (7000 + 4000 'security guards', hired by Hanjin management) using water cannons and tear gas.
See photos
More photos
But in reality they just wanted to march through the almost deserted streets to reach the area near the shipyard, to end the protest day/night with a CULTURE FESTIVAL... But finally they were attacked by thousands of riot cops (7000 + 4000 'security guards', hired by Hanjin management) using water cannons and tear gas.
See photos
More photos
International Solidarity Supporting the Hanjin Struggle
Some 10,000 workers and citizens from every part of South Korea participated on the night of July 9-10 in the "Hope Bus" march to the Hanjin shipyard in Busan to protest against dismissals in breach of contract and precarious work at the shipyard, and to make a solidarity visit to hunger-striking protester Kim Jinsuk. After a culture festival at Busan the participants started a candlelight march to the shipyard. One kilometer from the yard riot police blocked the road and opened fire on marchers with water cannons and liquid tear gas... (IMF report, 7.13)
But despite (or more precisely because of) the tightened STATE TERROR against the S. Korean solidarity movement, a mass campaign to support the Hanjin struggle becomes increasingly popular among the int'l labour movement!
The International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) recently sent a letter to the S. Korean president, calling for the gov't to stop all violence against the workers at Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard...
The IMF, KMWU and LabourStart have launched a campaign calling on the S. Korean gov't to end the violence immediately (click here to join the effort and send your protest NOW!).
Protest letters were sent also by AMWU and AWU(Australia), CNM/CUT(Brazil), CGT métallurgie(France), IMF-JC(Japan), FIM-CISL(Italy), NTUI(India), Fellesforbundet(Norway), the Pakistan Labour Federation, the Philippine Labour Federation and Metal Workers Alliance, USW Métallos(USA), CAW(Canada), IG Metall(Germany) etc...
But despite (or more precisely because of) the tightened STATE TERROR against the S. Korean solidarity movement, a mass campaign to support the Hanjin struggle becomes increasingly popular among the int'l labour movement!
The International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) recently sent a letter to the S. Korean president, calling for the gov't to stop all violence against the workers at Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard...
The IMF, KMWU and LabourStart have launched a campaign calling on the S. Korean gov't to end the violence immediately (click here to join the effort and send your protest NOW!).
Protest letters were sent also by AMWU and AWU(Australia), CNM/CUT(Brazil), CGT métallurgie(France), IMF-JC(Japan), FIM-CISL(Italy), NTUI(India), Fellesforbundet(Norway), the Pakistan Labour Federation, the Philippine Labour Federation and Metal Workers Alliance, USW Métallos(USA), CAW(Canada), IG Metall(Germany) etc...
South Korea's ‘Harmless’ teargas'
The riot police on Sunday discharge leftover teargas solution into the road after they dispersing the second group of “Hope Bus” participants. The participants traveled to the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC)’ Yeongdo shipyard where Kim Jin-suk, a Direction Committee member for the Busan chapter of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), has staged an aerial protest on the No. 85 crane for more than six months calling for the withdrawal of HHIC’s layoff plans.
The police have been criticized for indiscriminately squirting teargas solution, hitting children, the elderly, and people with disabilities while attempting to block them from entering the HHIC protest site. The police incurred strong criticism for using teargas solution containing carcinogenic dichloromethane during a violent crackdown on a strike by Ssangyong laborers in 2009.
The police said the solution used this time is not harmful to people because it lacks the dichloromethane, and the teargas solution was discharged by mistake.
(Photo courtesy of a twitter user @assa76)
SOUTH KOREAN STATE TERROR AGAINST WORKERS
Yesterday's Kyunghyang Shinmun reported the following about last weekend's STATE TERROR in Busan:
10,000 Participants of ‘Hope Bus’ Forcibly Dispersed by Police..
Harmful tear gas and batons used against peaceful protestors
About 10,000 citizens from around the country, albeit police estimates at 7,000, aboard a second wave of 'Hope Bus' on Saturday paid a visit to Youngdo Shipbuilding Yard, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) Busan.
This visit was aimed at cheering up Kim Jin-sook, who is staging a protest against the HHIC's sacking of workers alone high up on a Crane No. 85 and to pep up fired workers of the HHIC simultaneously .
However, while the police forcibly tried to disperse protestors using tear-causing gas and water cannons, and apprehended 50 and wounded 100, this stirred up a controversy that the crackdown was too forceful and violent.
Participants of Hope Bus held a cultural festival at Busan Station at 7 o'clock pm Saturday and marched towards Youngdo Shipbuilding Yard, but were thwarted by the police 700 meters ahead of the Yard.
Protestors made a demand of the police to secure a peaceful demonstration to reach to meet Kim Jin-sook in person, but the police issued an order of dispersal instead.
In the wee hours of Sunday, when the protestors marched towards a wall set by the police, the police began to fire tear-causing solutions.
Upon police firing of tear gas, Lee Jung-hee, Leader of Democratic Labor Party, blacked out and was taken to Busan University Hospital for treatment.
The police afterwards shot water cannons with tear-causing solutions at the protestors, wielded shields and batons to disperse the protestors.
In the process, 50 protestors including Shim Sang-jung, former leader of Progressive New Party, and Lee Gwang-seok, Chairman of National Farmers Federation, were apprehended and quite a number of them were wounded.
Woo Seok-gyoon, Policy Director of Health and Medical Group Association, said, "A great number of the wounded got chemical burns causing blisters. Considering the symptoms, the tear-causing solution seems to be the same kind that was used at the crackdown at Ssangyong Motors in 2009."
Woo added, "At that time, the International Cancer Research Center defined the methylenechloride solution contained in the tear-causing solution as carcinogenic and a research team at Harvard University announced that CS gas is a kind of 'toxic chemical weapons'."
About 2,000 protestors out of the whole dispersed themselves after staging, for a while, a sit-in demanding retraction of staff curtailment and criticizing forcible crackdown by the police.
However, their demand for a face-to-face meeting with Kim Jin-sook did not materialize, who is now a symbol of protest in HHIC's massive personnel curtailment.
LINK
10,000 Participants of ‘Hope Bus’ Forcibly Dispersed by Police..
Harmful tear gas and batons used against peaceful protestors
About 10,000 citizens from around the country, albeit police estimates at 7,000, aboard a second wave of 'Hope Bus' on Saturday paid a visit to Youngdo Shipbuilding Yard, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) Busan.
This visit was aimed at cheering up Kim Jin-sook, who is staging a protest against the HHIC's sacking of workers alone high up on a Crane No. 85 and to pep up fired workers of the HHIC simultaneously .
However, while the police forcibly tried to disperse protestors using tear-causing gas and water cannons, and apprehended 50 and wounded 100, this stirred up a controversy that the crackdown was too forceful and violent.
Participants of Hope Bus held a cultural festival at Busan Station at 7 o'clock pm Saturday and marched towards Youngdo Shipbuilding Yard, but were thwarted by the police 700 meters ahead of the Yard.
Protestors made a demand of the police to secure a peaceful demonstration to reach to meet Kim Jin-sook in person, but the police issued an order of dispersal instead.
In the wee hours of Sunday, when the protestors marched towards a wall set by the police, the police began to fire tear-causing solutions.
Upon police firing of tear gas, Lee Jung-hee, Leader of Democratic Labor Party, blacked out and was taken to Busan University Hospital for treatment.
The police afterwards shot water cannons with tear-causing solutions at the protestors, wielded shields and batons to disperse the protestors.
In the process, 50 protestors including Shim Sang-jung, former leader of Progressive New Party, and Lee Gwang-seok, Chairman of National Farmers Federation, were apprehended and quite a number of them were wounded.
Woo Seok-gyoon, Policy Director of Health and Medical Group Association, said, "A great number of the wounded got chemical burns causing blisters. Considering the symptoms, the tear-causing solution seems to be the same kind that was used at the crackdown at Ssangyong Motors in 2009."
Woo added, "At that time, the International Cancer Research Center defined the methylenechloride solution contained in the tear-causing solution as carcinogenic and a research team at Harvard University announced that CS gas is a kind of 'toxic chemical weapons'."
About 2,000 protestors out of the whole dispersed themselves after staging, for a while, a sit-in demanding retraction of staff curtailment and criticizing forcible crackdown by the police.
However, their demand for a face-to-face meeting with Kim Jin-sook did not materialize, who is now a symbol of protest in HHIC's massive personnel curtailment.
LINK
South Korean Police Hit for Firing Tear Liquid
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Confederation of Public Health and Medical Organizations and the Pusan and South Kyongsang Provincial Consultative Council of Doctors for Humanitarianism on July 10 denounced the police for firing tear liquid at the participants in the action demanding vital rights.
The organizations accused the police of firing tear liquid containing carcinogen material and toxic gas substance at the protestors against the unreasonable lay-off by the business side around the Young Do Shipbuilding Yard of the Hanjin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
This tear liquid is highly likely to contain the same substance as what was used to crack down on the strike of the Trade Union of the Ssangryong Motor Co. Ltd., in 2009, they charged, terming the use of such tear liquid against the demonstrators who included even aged people and children an inhuman action.
Meanwhile, a photo showing police throwing out tear liquid on the road after putting down the demonstration was posted on an Internet homepage that day, stunning the people.
===================================
One More Soldier of S. Korean Puppet Army Commits Suicide
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- A soldier belonging to the 1st Division of the south Korean puppet Marine Corps present in Phohang, North Kyongsang Province committed suicide on July 10, south Korean MBC reported.
He destroyed himself, leaving his suicide note in which he wrote he could no longer endure savage violence by his superiors at ordinary times.
The recent suicide case which occurred in the wake of that reported on July 3 is a product of the inhuman treatment prevalent in the puppet army.
The organizations accused the police of firing tear liquid containing carcinogen material and toxic gas substance at the protestors against the unreasonable lay-off by the business side around the Young Do Shipbuilding Yard of the Hanjin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
This tear liquid is highly likely to contain the same substance as what was used to crack down on the strike of the Trade Union of the Ssangryong Motor Co. Ltd., in 2009, they charged, terming the use of such tear liquid against the demonstrators who included even aged people and children an inhuman action.
Meanwhile, a photo showing police throwing out tear liquid on the road after putting down the demonstration was posted on an Internet homepage that day, stunning the people.
===================================
One More Soldier of S. Korean Puppet Army Commits Suicide
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- A soldier belonging to the 1st Division of the south Korean puppet Marine Corps present in Phohang, North Kyongsang Province committed suicide on July 10, south Korean MBC reported.
He destroyed himself, leaving his suicide note in which he wrote he could no longer endure savage violence by his superiors at ordinary times.
The recent suicide case which occurred in the wake of that reported on July 3 is a product of the inhuman treatment prevalent in the puppet army.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Just sending this from a discussion forum of Koreans and East Asians on Samsung .
BTW just on the question of Brit companies in SK -other than HSBC and Tesco which
are big there the following British property companies have offices in SK
CBRE
Jones Lang Lassalle
Savills
Land Securities
Collier International
From Asia's finest
May 3 2011, 08:15 PM
Many Koreans pride over supposedly "Korean" companies like Samsung. They make proud statements like, "I'm Korean, our people make Samsung," which seems to be a fair statement, right? Not necessarily.
According to Samsung's Stock Ownership Structure, FOREIGNERS actually own most of Samsung. In particular, of the total shares outstanding, foreigners own/control over 55%. This doesn't include categories like "Major Shareholder Related Parties," which Samsung subsidies own/control over (of which foreigners own the majority) and Treasury Stock that the company keeps (again, mostly owned by foreigners).
Ownership structure of Samsung Electronics as of the end of December, 2010
Total Stock
To put things into perspective, domestic individuals own a mere 5% the overall company.
Of the Preferred Stock, foreigners own a staggering 82%. Of the Common Stock, foreigners own over 50%, mainly because most of the common stock is under the control of Samsung subsidies, which foreigners own the majority of.
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
So, what does this imply about Samsung? Is it a "Korean" company as many Koreans like to think and are so proud of?
Here's an informative Samsung commercial that shows South Korea being transformed from a peasant society to a modern one:
WATCH:
BTW just on the question of Brit companies in SK -other than HSBC and Tesco which
are big there the following British property companies have offices in SK
CBRE
Jones Lang Lassalle
Savills
Land Securities
Collier International
From Asia's finest
May 3 2011, 08:15 PM
Many Koreans pride over supposedly "Korean" companies like Samsung. They make proud statements like, "I'm Korean, our people make Samsung," which seems to be a fair statement, right? Not necessarily.
According to Samsung's Stock Ownership Structure, FOREIGNERS actually own most of Samsung. In particular, of the total shares outstanding, foreigners own/control over 55%. This doesn't include categories like "Major Shareholder Related Parties," which Samsung subsidies own/control over (of which foreigners own the majority) and Treasury Stock that the company keeps (again, mostly owned by foreigners).
Ownership structure of Samsung Electronics as of the end of December, 2010
Total Stock
To put things into perspective, domestic individuals own a mere 5% the overall company.
Of the Preferred Stock, foreigners own a staggering 82%. Of the Common Stock, foreigners own over 50%, mainly because most of the common stock is under the control of Samsung subsidies, which foreigners own the majority of.
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
So, what does this imply about Samsung? Is it a "Korean" company as many Koreans like to think and are so proud of?
Here's an informative Samsung commercial that shows South Korea being transformed from a peasant society to a modern one:
WATCH:
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Anti-Worker Policy Flayed
S. Korean Authorities′ Anti-Worker Policy Flayed
Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Teachers Union in a commentary on July 1 denounced the authorities' anti-worker policy.
The commentary recalled that the Minimum Wage Committee on June 29 set forth a negotiating proposal for deciding the minimum wage for 2012 at the tacit agreement with the management side.
Even this proposal calls for infringing upon the elementary right to existence of the workers suffering destitution and pain due to low wage, it deplored, and continued:
The said committee, in the final analysis, has whiled away time not to help workers get higher pay but just to read the face of the management side.
Noting that the demands of the workers have not been reflected at all in the minimum wage level since the present regime appeared, the commentary said the committee and the management side can never shirk off the blame for having made a mockery of the workers.
It urged the committee to retract the above-said proposal at once and raise their wages. -0-
Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Teachers Union in a commentary on July 1 denounced the authorities' anti-worker policy.
The commentary recalled that the Minimum Wage Committee on June 29 set forth a negotiating proposal for deciding the minimum wage for 2012 at the tacit agreement with the management side.
Even this proposal calls for infringing upon the elementary right to existence of the workers suffering destitution and pain due to low wage, it deplored, and continued:
The said committee, in the final analysis, has whiled away time not to help workers get higher pay but just to read the face of the management side.
Noting that the demands of the workers have not been reflected at all in the minimum wage level since the present regime appeared, the commentary said the committee and the management side can never shirk off the blame for having made a mockery of the workers.
It urged the committee to retract the above-said proposal at once and raise their wages. -0-
Friday 1 July 2011
SO MUCH FOR FREE SPEECH IN SOUTH KOREA
The Chongju District Court of south Korea on June 28 sentenced a citizen who posted an article praising the DPRK on Internet to eight months in prison on charges of the violation of the "National Security Law", according to Yonhap News.
The citizen posted articles praising and lauding the stand of the DPRK on the "Cheonan" warship case on Internet from July 2009 to March this year. The court branded it as an "enemy-benefiting act."
The citizen posted articles praising and lauding the stand of the DPRK on the "Cheonan" warship case on Internet from July 2009 to March this year. The court branded it as an "enemy-benefiting act."
Monday 6 June 2011
South Korea repression
Police disperse striking Yoosung workers
Week-long strike disrupts production of major automakers
Thousands of riot police raided a regional auto parts manufacturing plant, Tuesday, to put an end to a week-long “illegal” strike that disrupted the production of Hyundai Motor and other major automakers.
More than 2,500 police entered the factory of Yoosung Enterprise in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, at 4:00 p.m., where hundreds of unionized workers have been holed up over the past week, according to South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency.
Police met little resistance from the workers while dispersing them. About 500 unionists were apprehended.
“We had to use force to disperse the striking workers and hand control of the facility back to the management. The raid was unavoidable as last-minute talks between management and the employees on strike fell apart,” a police officer said.
Police will decide whether to detain the workers or not after looking into their involvement in the walkout.
Police obtained arrest warrants for two union leaders and a search warrant for union offices from the Daejeon District Court.
He said 31 companies of riot police and three police vehicles equipped with water cannons were deployed to the scene.
Police helicopters hovered above the site to monitor the movements of the striking workers.
More than 500 unionized workers began occupying the factory on May 18 after they failed to reach common ground with their management on working conditions and salaries. Following the walkout, the management of Yoosung Enterprise, which specializes in piston rings, cylinder liners and other key components of car engines, imposed a lockout on the plant.
On Monday, the company’s management and labor held unsuccessful talks to resolve the confrontation.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), affiliated with Yoosung labor union, released a statement condemning the police raid.
“Law enforcement authorities refused to follow law and order by sending riot police into the plant. This is tantamount to a barbaric act. We will fight along with unionized workers of Yoosung Enterprise to the end until we achieve our goals,” the KCTU said.
It said it will launch a nationwide campaign to force President Lee Myung-bak to step down.
Despite the strike coming to an end on Tuesday, it will likely take some time for the plant to resume operations, meaning that automakers will have to grapple with output disruption for the time being.
According to the auto industry, the ongoing strike has forced automakers to suspend production of several vehicles due to a shortage of engine components.
Yoosung supplies key engine components to all five automakers operating here. In particular, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the nation’s two largest automakers, depend heavily on its supply as they receive 70 percent of engine-related components from the firm.
Hyundai and Kia said if the walkout lasts through the end of May, they will be forced to cut output by as much as 50,000 cars. The other three carmakers — GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong Motor — will see their production drop by a combined 10,000.
Hyundai has already been forced to shut down its assembly line for the Tucson ix sports utility vehicle, while Kia had to halt production of its Carnival passenger minivan.
According to the Korea Employers Federation, the labor strike has already cost automakers over 150 billion won in lost output as of Tuesday. From May 26, they will likely incur over 100 billion won in losses on a daily basis
Link to photos
Week-long strike disrupts production of major automakers
Thousands of riot police raided a regional auto parts manufacturing plant, Tuesday, to put an end to a week-long “illegal” strike that disrupted the production of Hyundai Motor and other major automakers.
More than 2,500 police entered the factory of Yoosung Enterprise in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, at 4:00 p.m., where hundreds of unionized workers have been holed up over the past week, according to South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency.
Police met little resistance from the workers while dispersing them. About 500 unionists were apprehended.
“We had to use force to disperse the striking workers and hand control of the facility back to the management. The raid was unavoidable as last-minute talks between management and the employees on strike fell apart,” a police officer said.
Police will decide whether to detain the workers or not after looking into their involvement in the walkout.
Police obtained arrest warrants for two union leaders and a search warrant for union offices from the Daejeon District Court.
He said 31 companies of riot police and three police vehicles equipped with water cannons were deployed to the scene.
Police helicopters hovered above the site to monitor the movements of the striking workers.
More than 500 unionized workers began occupying the factory on May 18 after they failed to reach common ground with their management on working conditions and salaries. Following the walkout, the management of Yoosung Enterprise, which specializes in piston rings, cylinder liners and other key components of car engines, imposed a lockout on the plant.
On Monday, the company’s management and labor held unsuccessful talks to resolve the confrontation.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), affiliated with Yoosung labor union, released a statement condemning the police raid.
“Law enforcement authorities refused to follow law and order by sending riot police into the plant. This is tantamount to a barbaric act. We will fight along with unionized workers of Yoosung Enterprise to the end until we achieve our goals,” the KCTU said.
It said it will launch a nationwide campaign to force President Lee Myung-bak to step down.
Despite the strike coming to an end on Tuesday, it will likely take some time for the plant to resume operations, meaning that automakers will have to grapple with output disruption for the time being.
According to the auto industry, the ongoing strike has forced automakers to suspend production of several vehicles due to a shortage of engine components.
Yoosung supplies key engine components to all five automakers operating here. In particular, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the nation’s two largest automakers, depend heavily on its supply as they receive 70 percent of engine-related components from the firm.
Hyundai and Kia said if the walkout lasts through the end of May, they will be forced to cut output by as much as 50,000 cars. The other three carmakers — GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong Motor — will see their production drop by a combined 10,000.
Hyundai has already been forced to shut down its assembly line for the Tucson ix sports utility vehicle, while Kia had to halt production of its Carnival passenger minivan.
According to the Korea Employers Federation, the labor strike has already cost automakers over 150 billion won in lost output as of Tuesday. From May 26, they will likely incur over 100 billion won in losses on a daily basis
Link to photos
Tuesday 31 May 2011
South Korean repressions
The South Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification in a commentary on May 24 denounced the Lee Myung Bak dictatorial regime for its violent crackdown on workers.
That day the authorities set in motion 2 500 policemen to arrest at least 500 workers of an enterprise who were staging a sit-in in protest against the unreasonable closure of workshop by the management side, the commentary noted.
The authorities' suppression is aimed to stamp out the rights of the workers and obliterate the labor movement, it said, warning that the "government's" repression will invite bigger resistance of the workers.
KCNA
That day the authorities set in motion 2 500 policemen to arrest at least 500 workers of an enterprise who were staging a sit-in in protest against the unreasonable closure of workshop by the management side, the commentary noted.
The authorities' suppression is aimed to stamp out the rights of the workers and obliterate the labor movement, it said, warning that the "government's" repression will invite bigger resistance of the workers.
KCNA
Saturday 23 April 2011
Gag on Freedom of Speech in South Korea
The puppet Seoul Central District Court of south Korea sentenced Jo Jung Won, representative of the Internet media agency, to two-year prison term on the charge of violation of the "National Security Law".
The court charged him, who posted on Internet website articles and animations praising the Juche idea, the Songun politics of the DPRK, with "crime of spreading enemy-benefiting files".
Protesting against this ruling, Jo Jung Won expressed wrath at the absurd action of gagging on pressman's freedom of thought and expression by invoking the NSL which has had no justification to exist any longer.
The court charged him, who posted on Internet website articles and animations praising the Juche idea, the Songun politics of the DPRK, with "crime of spreading enemy-benefiting files".
Protesting against this ruling, Jo Jung Won expressed wrath at the absurd action of gagging on pressman's freedom of thought and expression by invoking the NSL which has had no justification to exist any longer.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
International Solidarity against Yura Corporation
SERBIAN WORKERS HOLD A RALLY OF SOLIDARITY WITH OUR RUSSIAN COLLEAGUES
20.03.2011 10:11
On March 15, factory workers at "Yura Corporation in Racha (Serbia) and Sloga union activists, held a protest in front of the Embassy of South Korea in Belgrade. They demanded the reinstatement of six employees dismissed for union activity, and expressed solidarity with unionized workers at "Yura Corporation" in Ivangorod (Kingisepp district of Leningrad region), who are also under severe pressure from the employer.
We recall that on March 6, in Kingisepp a picket took place against the anti-union policy "Yura corporation” in Russia and Serbia, organized by the Inter-regional trade union of automobile industry workers (MPRA). Several dozen workers armed with whistles and megaphones, appealed to the Ambassador of South Korea and the state authorities of Serbia with the demand to curb the South Korean investor, grossly violating national and international legislation.
"At the “Yura plant" what is going on is a monstrous humiliation of workers - citizens of Serbia: the physical, psychological, and sexual - says Zeljko Veselinovic, chairman of the trade union Sloga. - The Labour Inspectorate ordered the return to work of our colleagues, but the leadership of "Yura" refuses to implement this decision."
"They do not accept the decision, on which we must return to work, and violates the laws of the Republic of Serbia, which for them – mean nothing," - said Maria Ilic, deputy chairman of the Sloga union at the "Yura”.
Meanwhile, the sympathies of the local authorities are clearly on the side of the employer. Thus, Mayor of Racha, Dragan Zhivanovich refuses to communicate with the media. In a brief telephone conversation with reporters, TV B92, she said she did not believe the workers of "Yura", and accused journalists of bias: "I spoke with the director Lucas-nam, and he assured me that “Yura" is in compliance with all laws and regulations." The management at "Yura" also refuses to comment on it.
Chairperson of the primary organisation of MPRA at "Yura Corporation RUS” in Ivangorod, Russia, Victor Makhno said that their union strongly supports the struggle of the Serb colleagues:" We protest against the illegal actions of "Yura" against the outbreak of psychological terror against workers who have used their legal right to organize into unions. We support the struggle of our sister union and believe in the victory of law, justice and truth, which is on our side. We are together to do one thing - fight for the interests and rights of workers. "
From MPRA
20.03.2011 10:11
On March 15, factory workers at "Yura Corporation in Racha (Serbia) and Sloga union activists, held a protest in front of the Embassy of South Korea in Belgrade. They demanded the reinstatement of six employees dismissed for union activity, and expressed solidarity with unionized workers at "Yura Corporation" in Ivangorod (Kingisepp district of Leningrad region), who are also under severe pressure from the employer.
We recall that on March 6, in Kingisepp a picket took place against the anti-union policy "Yura corporation” in Russia and Serbia, organized by the Inter-regional trade union of automobile industry workers (MPRA). Several dozen workers armed with whistles and megaphones, appealed to the Ambassador of South Korea and the state authorities of Serbia with the demand to curb the South Korean investor, grossly violating national and international legislation.
"At the “Yura plant" what is going on is a monstrous humiliation of workers - citizens of Serbia: the physical, psychological, and sexual - says Zeljko Veselinovic, chairman of the trade union Sloga. - The Labour Inspectorate ordered the return to work of our colleagues, but the leadership of "Yura" refuses to implement this decision."
"They do not accept the decision, on which we must return to work, and violates the laws of the Republic of Serbia, which for them – mean nothing," - said Maria Ilic, deputy chairman of the Sloga union at the "Yura”.
Meanwhile, the sympathies of the local authorities are clearly on the side of the employer. Thus, Mayor of Racha, Dragan Zhivanovich refuses to communicate with the media. In a brief telephone conversation with reporters, TV B92, she said she did not believe the workers of "Yura", and accused journalists of bias: "I spoke with the director Lucas-nam, and he assured me that “Yura" is in compliance with all laws and regulations." The management at "Yura" also refuses to comment on it.
Chairperson of the primary organisation of MPRA at "Yura Corporation RUS” in Ivangorod, Russia, Victor Makhno said that their union strongly supports the struggle of the Serb colleagues:" We protest against the illegal actions of "Yura" against the outbreak of psychological terror against workers who have used their legal right to organize into unions. We support the struggle of our sister union and believe in the victory of law, justice and truth, which is on our side. We are together to do one thing - fight for the interests and rights of workers. "
From MPRA
South Korea - poor state of health
The Seoul National University Hospital, the Severance Hospital and other hospitals in south Korea were recently disclosed to have conducted clinical tests on patients without guarantee of their lives. The story stunned the people.
Such illegal acts clearly indicate the poor health conditions of the south Korean society where money is everything.
The poor are denied hospital treatment in south Korea with medical treatment fees steadily rising.
A general medical check-up costs 100-400 U.S. dollars. Hospital charges a day in big hospitals of Seoul are estimated at 100-300 U.S. dollars on average.
In 2009 when bird flu swept across south Korea hospitals demanded 200 000 won for one medical examination.
After the emergence of the present "government" the number of infection cases at hospitals reached 300 000 a year and the ensuing yearly mortality rate 15 000.
The poor suffer from all kinds of diseases as they can hardly get timely treatment. Such poor health conditions of south Korea are an inevitable product of the unpopular rule by the puppet authorities.
All facts go to prove that the healthy life of the south Korean people is unthinkable as long as the present puppet authorities are allowed to stay in power.
Such illegal acts clearly indicate the poor health conditions of the south Korean society where money is everything.
The poor are denied hospital treatment in south Korea with medical treatment fees steadily rising.
A general medical check-up costs 100-400 U.S. dollars. Hospital charges a day in big hospitals of Seoul are estimated at 100-300 U.S. dollars on average.
In 2009 when bird flu swept across south Korea hospitals demanded 200 000 won for one medical examination.
After the emergence of the present "government" the number of infection cases at hospitals reached 300 000 a year and the ensuing yearly mortality rate 15 000.
The poor suffer from all kinds of diseases as they can hardly get timely treatment. Such poor health conditions of south Korea are an inevitable product of the unpopular rule by the puppet authorities.
All facts go to prove that the healthy life of the south Korean people is unthinkable as long as the present puppet authorities are allowed to stay in power.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
INTERNL WOMENS DAY SEOUL
Last Saturday more than 1000 female activists, mainly members of different labour unions(organized in the KCTU), progressive civic groups and resistance organisations gathered in the center of the S.Korean capital Seoul to celabrate the Int'l Women's Day and protested against the - still - terrible conditions for a majority of female workers...
http://blog.jinbo.net/CINA/?m=2006-02
South Korean power cuts
After a decade or two of deriding the DPRK's economy and exaggerating the difficultes faced by the DPRK during the arduous march period now the south Korean puppet regime has been hit by power cuts
SEOUL, March 8 (Reuters) - The bustling entertainment districts of one of the world's largest cities, Seoul, were pitched into darkness early on Tuesday as the government clamped down on energy use to cope with rising oil prices.
Neon signs and outdoor lights were ordered switched off in the business and entertainment districts of the South Korean capital, in a tangible sign of how the oil price rise is hurting the resource-starved country.
President Lee Myung-bak has called for a tighter national energy policy to counter the impact of higher prices
SEOUL, March 8 (Reuters) - The bustling entertainment districts of one of the world's largest cities, Seoul, were pitched into darkness early on Tuesday as the government clamped down on energy use to cope with rising oil prices.
Neon signs and outdoor lights were ordered switched off in the business and entertainment districts of the South Korean capital, in a tangible sign of how the oil price rise is hurting the resource-starved country.
President Lee Myung-bak has called for a tighter national energy policy to counter the impact of higher prices
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Hongik University workers
Yesterday's (bourgeois) Korea Times reported the following:
Hongik University workers reach tentative agreement
Cleaners, guards and other non-permanent workers at Hongik University reached a tentative agreement with their employers, ending the 49-day labor dispute that started with a sit-in protest at the school campus in Seoul.
The two labor supplying companies that fired them decided to rehire them and further negotiated with the school on their behalf, according to the unionized workers. The union of the workers is a member of the the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
KCTUsaid Sunday that the workers have agreed with the companies regarding payments and working conditions during a meeting on Sunday morning with 86 workers of the 112 union members present. The settlement went through with 89.5 percent of the present voting for the settlement.
According to the agreement, the hourly wage will rise to 4,450 won for cleaners and 3,560 won for security workers on the condition of working eight hours a day, five days a week. The previous hourly wages were 4,120 won for cleaners, which was lower than the minimum legal wage of 4,320 won.
The companies also agreed to pay 50,000 won for meals and holiday bonuses respectively, along with making additional payments for overtime work.
According to the KCTU, the workers will return to work at the school starting from Monday.
The dispute among the workers, school and the labor-supply companies first emerged when some 170 janitors, cleaners and guards of the school formed a labor union Dec. 1 last year demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
The companies asked the school to reflect the demands but when it refused, they informed the workers of the termination of their contracts on Dec. 31 without notice.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/116_81737.html
=====================================================
Hongik University workers reach tentative agreement
Cleaners, guards and other non-permanent workers at Hongik University reached a tentative agreement with their employers, ending the 49-day labor dispute that started with a sit-in protest at the school campus in Seoul.
The two labor supplying companies that fired them decided to rehire them and further negotiated with the school on their behalf, according to the unionized workers. The union of the workers is a member of the the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
KCTUsaid Sunday that the workers have agreed with the companies regarding payments and working conditions during a meeting on Sunday morning with 86 workers of the 112 union members present. The settlement went through with 89.5 percent of the present voting for the settlement.
According to the agreement, the hourly wage will rise to 4,450 won for cleaners and 3,560 won for security workers on the condition of working eight hours a day, five days a week. The previous hourly wages were 4,120 won for cleaners, which was lower than the minimum legal wage of 4,320 won.
The companies also agreed to pay 50,000 won for meals and holiday bonuses respectively, along with making additional payments for overtime work.
According to the KCTU, the workers will return to work at the school starting from Monday.
The dispute among the workers, school and the labor-supply companies first emerged when some 170 janitors, cleaners and guards of the school formed a labor union Dec. 1 last year demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
The companies asked the school to reflect the demands but when it refused, they informed the workers of the termination of their contracts on Dec. 31 without notice.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/116_81737.html
=====================================================
Wednesday 16 February 2011
LOCKOUT AT HHIC
The (bourgeois) Korea Times published y'day the following report:
Hanjin Heavy locks factories
Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) imposed a lockout at its main shipbuilding yard and factories Monday, in reaction to a strike against a layoff plan by its union that started on Dec. 20. The company plans to make 190 employees redundant today as it previously announced.
The union pledged to continue their fight for the abolition of a massive layoff plan. On the same day, two more union members also joined a female protestor on a 50-meter-high crane in a shipyard in Busan, who has been there for over a month.
HHIC reported to the provincial labor authorities Monday that it had locked the Yeongdo shipyard and Dadaepo factory in Busan and its Ulsan factory to protect them from the union’s strike and protests.
The company and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have been struggling against the layoff plan since December.
“Since they started the protest, they have caused financial and other damage to the company and related subcontractors,” an official from the company said. “It’s an inevitable decision to protect the company from illegal protests.”
Following the lockout, the company will only allow limited union members to enter the company’s properties on days of negotiation. It also ordered some 600 laborers to leave worksites immediately, and is considering calling the police to crackdown on illegal protestors.
Union members were in shock on hearing of the lockout, due to the unexpected move by the company.
“It’s too sudden. The company has not informed us of the decision yet. We learned it from news reports,” an official from the Busan office of the KCTU said. “We’re discussing necessary steps regarding the decision, but we’ll continue the strike until our demands are met.”
Kim Jin-suk, a member of the direction committee for the Busan office of the KCTU, has continued a protest from the 50-meter high driver’s seat of a crane at the company’s Yeongdo shipyard since Jan. 6.
She refused to stop the protest even after the court ruled she must leave the site and prohibited her from entering again. She now has to pay a one million won ($890) fine each day she continues the illegal protest.
She was joined by union members Moon Chul-sang and Chae Gil-yong on Monday.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/117_81390.html
Hanjin Heavy locks factories
Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) imposed a lockout at its main shipbuilding yard and factories Monday, in reaction to a strike against a layoff plan by its union that started on Dec. 20. The company plans to make 190 employees redundant today as it previously announced.
The union pledged to continue their fight for the abolition of a massive layoff plan. On the same day, two more union members also joined a female protestor on a 50-meter-high crane in a shipyard in Busan, who has been there for over a month.
HHIC reported to the provincial labor authorities Monday that it had locked the Yeongdo shipyard and Dadaepo factory in Busan and its Ulsan factory to protect them from the union’s strike and protests.
The company and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have been struggling against the layoff plan since December.
“Since they started the protest, they have caused financial and other damage to the company and related subcontractors,” an official from the company said. “It’s an inevitable decision to protect the company from illegal protests.”
Following the lockout, the company will only allow limited union members to enter the company’s properties on days of negotiation. It also ordered some 600 laborers to leave worksites immediately, and is considering calling the police to crackdown on illegal protestors.
Union members were in shock on hearing of the lockout, due to the unexpected move by the company.
“It’s too sudden. The company has not informed us of the decision yet. We learned it from news reports,” an official from the Busan office of the KCTU said. “We’re discussing necessary steps regarding the decision, but we’ll continue the strike until our demands are met.”
Kim Jin-suk, a member of the direction committee for the Busan office of the KCTU, has continued a protest from the 50-meter high driver’s seat of a crane at the company’s Yeongdo shipyard since Jan. 6.
She refused to stop the protest even after the court ruled she must leave the site and prohibited her from entering again. She now has to pay a one million won ($890) fine each day she continues the illegal protest.
She was joined by union members Moon Chul-sang and Chae Gil-yong on Monday.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/117_81390.html
Monday 31 January 2011
Koreans protest in US
Jan 31. Korean residents in the United States and its citizens staged a demonstration outside the south Korean consulate general in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, demanding the abrogation of south Korea′s "National Security Law" (NSL).
They were members of Koreans′ organizations supporting the Joint Measure Committee for the Frustration of the Suppression of the Socialist Workers′ Federation and the Repeal of NSL which Violates the Freedom of Political Activities and Thinking in south Korea and American progressive organizations.
The demonstrators pointed out that the south Korean authorities seek to bring to the final trial seven members of the Socialist Workers′ Federation including O Se Chol, chairman of the steering committee of the Federation and honorary professor of Yonsei University.
The authorities are trying to punish those members of the Federation by invoking the NSL, a fascist law, they charged.
They urged the south Korean authorities to stop at once the suppression of the Federation, putting up the slogan "Abrogate NSL!" -
They were members of Koreans′ organizations supporting the Joint Measure Committee for the Frustration of the Suppression of the Socialist Workers′ Federation and the Repeal of NSL which Violates the Freedom of Political Activities and Thinking in south Korea and American progressive organizations.
The demonstrators pointed out that the south Korean authorities seek to bring to the final trial seven members of the Socialist Workers′ Federation including O Se Chol, chairman of the steering committee of the Federation and honorary professor of Yonsei University.
The authorities are trying to punish those members of the Federation by invoking the NSL, a fascist law, they charged.
They urged the south Korean authorities to stop at once the suppression of the Federation, putting up the slogan "Abrogate NSL!" -
Thursday 27 January 2011
S. Korea and social evils
South Korea Ailing with Social Evils
Increasing the poor bracket
In south Korean society misruled by the anti-people policy of the conservative regime, the number of the poor is increasing day after day.
Even according to an official announcement of the puppet regime the number of the poor households was 3,058,000, which holds nearly 20% of all the households and includes 7 million people.
According to a material 63% of the poor households are completely unemployed, and 14% of them are living on a shoestring as day-laborers and the rest are eking out a bare existence though they have certain jobs.
The conservative group has enforced the policy in favor of conglomerates and the rich only in disregard of the livelihood of the majority of the working people, so that the living standards gap between the rich and the poor extremely widened.
A large number of the medium-sized businesses and small merchants went into bankruptcy en masse so 134,725 households became the poor in 2009 alone.
In 2010, too, 30,000 ~ 70,000 independent businessmen went bankrupt every month. Therefore a growing number of the people face harsher living conditions, increasing the poor racket.
Poor public health
Since the conservative regime has been pursuing the “commercialization of the public health sector” after taking power, 82% hospitals flocked to big cities with high profit, further deteriorating the health condition in local areas. In particular, 43 counties are not equipped with emergency sections in hospitals, so that the inhabitants fail to receive any simple first-aid treatment.
Besides, 58% of all hospitals are treating the foreigners in the main for the sake of more fees, so that a few ones are available for the ordinaries.
In 2010, the outpatient fees increased by 7.2%, inpatient fees by 8.5%, tooth treatment fees by 10.6% compared with that in 2008, and the charges for appendix removal surgery skyrocketed to US$ 3,000, for abdominal cavity surgery to US$ 6,000 and for marrow transplantation surgery to US$ 170,000.
For the exorbitant prices of cold remedy and other common medicines 12 ~ 20% of all households are unable to go to hospital.
Miserable state of young people
The growing number of the young unemployed becomes a severe social problem.
The young unemployed number 764,000 in 2008, 905,000 in 2009 and 1,160,000 in the first half of 2010 making the unemployment rate of the young people a double that of the average.
6 of 10 university graduates, in particular, postpone their graduation to be undergraduate or withdraw from learning for the absence of jobs. Therefore, colleges and universities are called a nursery of the unemployed.
At present the portion of the young people working in big businesses and public sectors is very low at 20% and 10% respectively, and 50% of the 20s and 38% of the 30s are casual workers whose salary is no more than 54.7% of the full employed.
Young people and students who work in assorted chores for living expenses are 48% and 38.2%, the students absent from universities for failing to secure tuition fees are 26.9% and the students who owe debt for tuition fees are no less than 50.9%.
Among the suicides during the last 3 years the number increased by 35% in the 20s and 20.3% in the 30s every year.
Rampant crimes
Drug crimes are drastically increasing in south Korea.
15,000 drug users were recorded in 2000 but they reached to nearly one million in 2009, and addicts are numbered some 20,000.
Young drug users in their teens and 20s, in particular, account for 17%.
As the hospitals prescribe the medicines to patients with narcotic as the main agent, there appeared an atmosphere of openly agitating the use of drug in the public health sector, and the drug smuggling via internet increased 10 times more than that of 2008.
And the increasing sex offenses engaged in society.
Sex offenses are growing in number every year, so in 2008 49 cases were reported on a daily average but in 2009 they were increased to 56.
In 2009, in particular, it is reported that the young sex criminals aged less than 18 years old increased by 25% more than the previous year.
Increasing the poor bracket
In south Korean society misruled by the anti-people policy of the conservative regime, the number of the poor is increasing day after day.
Even according to an official announcement of the puppet regime the number of the poor households was 3,058,000, which holds nearly 20% of all the households and includes 7 million people.
According to a material 63% of the poor households are completely unemployed, and 14% of them are living on a shoestring as day-laborers and the rest are eking out a bare existence though they have certain jobs.
The conservative group has enforced the policy in favor of conglomerates and the rich only in disregard of the livelihood of the majority of the working people, so that the living standards gap between the rich and the poor extremely widened.
A large number of the medium-sized businesses and small merchants went into bankruptcy en masse so 134,725 households became the poor in 2009 alone.
In 2010, too, 30,000 ~ 70,000 independent businessmen went bankrupt every month. Therefore a growing number of the people face harsher living conditions, increasing the poor racket.
Poor public health
Since the conservative regime has been pursuing the “commercialization of the public health sector” after taking power, 82% hospitals flocked to big cities with high profit, further deteriorating the health condition in local areas. In particular, 43 counties are not equipped with emergency sections in hospitals, so that the inhabitants fail to receive any simple first-aid treatment.
Besides, 58% of all hospitals are treating the foreigners in the main for the sake of more fees, so that a few ones are available for the ordinaries.
In 2010, the outpatient fees increased by 7.2%, inpatient fees by 8.5%, tooth treatment fees by 10.6% compared with that in 2008, and the charges for appendix removal surgery skyrocketed to US$ 3,000, for abdominal cavity surgery to US$ 6,000 and for marrow transplantation surgery to US$ 170,000.
For the exorbitant prices of cold remedy and other common medicines 12 ~ 20% of all households are unable to go to hospital.
Miserable state of young people
The growing number of the young unemployed becomes a severe social problem.
The young unemployed number 764,000 in 2008, 905,000 in 2009 and 1,160,000 in the first half of 2010 making the unemployment rate of the young people a double that of the average.
6 of 10 university graduates, in particular, postpone their graduation to be undergraduate or withdraw from learning for the absence of jobs. Therefore, colleges and universities are called a nursery of the unemployed.
At present the portion of the young people working in big businesses and public sectors is very low at 20% and 10% respectively, and 50% of the 20s and 38% of the 30s are casual workers whose salary is no more than 54.7% of the full employed.
Young people and students who work in assorted chores for living expenses are 48% and 38.2%, the students absent from universities for failing to secure tuition fees are 26.9% and the students who owe debt for tuition fees are no less than 50.9%.
Among the suicides during the last 3 years the number increased by 35% in the 20s and 20.3% in the 30s every year.
Rampant crimes
Drug crimes are drastically increasing in south Korea.
15,000 drug users were recorded in 2000 but they reached to nearly one million in 2009, and addicts are numbered some 20,000.
Young drug users in their teens and 20s, in particular, account for 17%.
As the hospitals prescribe the medicines to patients with narcotic as the main agent, there appeared an atmosphere of openly agitating the use of drug in the public health sector, and the drug smuggling via internet increased 10 times more than that of 2008.
And the increasing sex offenses engaged in society.
Sex offenses are growing in number every year, so in 2008 49 cases were reported on a daily average but in 2009 they were increased to 56.
In 2009, in particular, it is reported that the young sex criminals aged less than 18 years old increased by 25% more than the previous year.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Rev. Han Sang Ryol Sentenced to Prison Term in S. Korea
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Rev. Han Sang Ryol to five years in prison and five-year suspension of qualifications on Jan. 21, according to Yonhap News of south Korea.
The south Korean authorities arrested him as soon as he crossed Panmunjom at north-south borderline after visiting the DPRK last year. They persecuted him long and at last sentenced him to severe punishment.
The court also sentenced Co-representative Han Chung Mok and several members of the Solidarity for Progress to prison term and other punishment on charges of waging anti-U.S. actions.
The south Korean authorities arrested him as soon as he crossed Panmunjom at north-south borderline after visiting the DPRK last year. They persecuted him long and at last sentenced him to severe punishment.
The court also sentenced Co-representative Han Chung Mok and several members of the Solidarity for Progress to prison term and other punishment on charges of waging anti-U.S. actions.
Monday 24 January 2011
S. Korean Supreme Court Declares Executed Party Leader Not Guilty
January 23. The south Korean supreme court declared Jo Pong Am, former head of the Progressive Party in south Korea, not guilty in a retrial on Jan. 20, according to south Korean MBC.
He was punished with death on the false charge of "rebellion and spying" 52 years ago.
The retrial proved the illegal investigation of him conducted by the army secret service agency which had no right to inquiry at that time.
The then dictator Syngman Rhee, much upset by the growing public support for him who stood for peaceful reunification, executed him as a "spy" in July, 1959.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Korean Authorities' Unpopular Policy Failed
January 21. Civic and social bodies and political parties of south Korea held a ceremony in Seoul on Jan. 17 to declare a week of mourning those Ryongsan evacuees killed by the police indiscriminate crackdown.
They included the Korean Confederation of Trade Union, the Society for the Human Rights Movement, the Committee for Probing the Truth about the Ryongsan Tragedy, the Union of Evacuees and the Democratic Labor Party.
The speakers there said that although it is two years since the occurrence of the tragedy, the truth about the mass-killing is not yet probed and the evacuees are still undergoing pain behind bars for the mere reason that they struggled in demand of their vital rights.
Recalling that people in Ryongsan are forcibly evacuated due to the reckless redevelopment policy of the authorities and they are left without any shelter, they declared that this bespeaks that the second Ryongsan tragedy may take place.
They called on the people of various circles to get united to settle the issue of the Ryongsan tragedy and launch dynamic actions to force the authorities to roll back their redevelopment policy.
Earlier, the all-people committee for memorial service for the victims of the Ryongsan tragedy was formed. It groups 106 political parties and organizations and individual personages.
He was punished with death on the false charge of "rebellion and spying" 52 years ago.
The retrial proved the illegal investigation of him conducted by the army secret service agency which had no right to inquiry at that time.
The then dictator Syngman Rhee, much upset by the growing public support for him who stood for peaceful reunification, executed him as a "spy" in July, 1959.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Korean Authorities' Unpopular Policy Failed
January 21. Civic and social bodies and political parties of south Korea held a ceremony in Seoul on Jan. 17 to declare a week of mourning those Ryongsan evacuees killed by the police indiscriminate crackdown.
They included the Korean Confederation of Trade Union, the Society for the Human Rights Movement, the Committee for Probing the Truth about the Ryongsan Tragedy, the Union of Evacuees and the Democratic Labor Party.
The speakers there said that although it is two years since the occurrence of the tragedy, the truth about the mass-killing is not yet probed and the evacuees are still undergoing pain behind bars for the mere reason that they struggled in demand of their vital rights.
Recalling that people in Ryongsan are forcibly evacuated due to the reckless redevelopment policy of the authorities and they are left without any shelter, they declared that this bespeaks that the second Ryongsan tragedy may take place.
They called on the people of various circles to get united to settle the issue of the Ryongsan tragedy and launch dynamic actions to force the authorities to roll back their redevelopment policy.
Earlier, the all-people committee for memorial service for the victims of the Ryongsan tragedy was formed. It groups 106 political parties and organizations and individual personages.
Monday 17 January 2011
S. Korea: Jail Term Sentenced to Citizen Praising DPRK
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- The Seoul Central District Court on Jan. 14 sentenced to jail an inhabitant on charges of violating the ill-famed "National Security Law", according to CBS of south Korea.
The court gave this sentence for the mere reason that the citizen posted on Internet articles and animation files praising the DPRK.
The court gave this sentence for the mere reason that the citizen posted on Internet articles and animation files praising the DPRK.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Urgent Appeal: Eight South Korean Labor Activists Face 4-7 Years in Prison
I don't believe too much in the efficacy of the kind of
write-in protest advocated below, but an international
spotlight on this case just might have an effect on
the final sentencing of these exemplary militants.
Please distribute far and wide.
__________
So if you are on any listservs, please post. Thanks
Urgent Appeal: Eight South Korean Labor Activists Face
4-7
Years in Prison
On Dec. 3 of last year, the prosecutor in the Seoul
Central District Court demanded prison terms of 5-7 years for
Oh sei-chull and other members (Yang Hyo-seok, Yang
Joon-seok, Choi Young-ik, Park Joon-seon, Jeong Won-hyung, and
Oh Min-gyu) of the Socialist Workers’ Alliance of
Korea (SWLK), a revolutionary socialist group. These
activists in the Korean working-class movement were indicted under
South Korea’s notorious National Security Law (passed in
1948
and theoretically still stipulating the death penalty
for “pro-North” activities). The eight militants of
the SWLK, who as internationalists advocate working-class
revolution in both Koreas, were accused of no specific
crime except being socialists, but in reality the
indictment resulted from their intervention in several strikes
and movements going back to 2007. This is the first
instance of such harsh repression under the National Security Law
in many years. It occurs in the larger
context of the hard-right turn (such as the smashing
of the Ssangyong Motor Co. strike of 2009) of South Korean
President Lee Myong Bak’s government since he took
office in early 2008. (In fact, leaflets of the SWLK
distributed during the Ssangyong strike were key evidence in the
trial.)
Prosecutors have attempted to indict members of the
SWLK several times since 2008, and prior to December, the
prosecutors’ case was thrown out of court each time.
It is not impossible that a barrage of e-mail protests to
Judge Hyung Doo Kim of the Seoul Central District Court will
help reduce or obviate the pending sentences altogether,
when final sentencing will take place on Jan. 27.
Let Judge Kim know your feelings in your own words
about this crackdown on “thought crime” by writing to
swlk@jinbo.net
The e-mails must be received by 06:00 AM on Monday
January
17th 2011 (Seoul time), so that the SWLK’s lawyer
can
forward them to Judge Kim prior to sentencing.
Please distribute this appeal as widely as possible.
Messages in languages other than English are welcome.
Loren Goldner
For further details on this case, contact me at lrgoldner@gmail.com
write-in protest advocated below, but an international
spotlight on this case just might have an effect on
the final sentencing of these exemplary militants.
Please distribute far and wide.
__________
So if you are on any listservs, please post. Thanks
Urgent Appeal: Eight South Korean Labor Activists Face
4-7
Years in Prison
On Dec. 3 of last year, the prosecutor in the Seoul
Central District Court demanded prison terms of 5-7 years for
Oh sei-chull and other members (Yang Hyo-seok, Yang
Joon-seok, Choi Young-ik, Park Joon-seon, Jeong Won-hyung, and
Oh Min-gyu) of the Socialist Workers’ Alliance of
Korea (SWLK), a revolutionary socialist group. These
activists in the Korean working-class movement were indicted under
South Korea’s notorious National Security Law (passed in
1948
and theoretically still stipulating the death penalty
for “pro-North” activities). The eight militants of
the SWLK, who as internationalists advocate working-class
revolution in both Koreas, were accused of no specific
crime except being socialists, but in reality the
indictment resulted from their intervention in several strikes
and movements going back to 2007. This is the first
instance of such harsh repression under the National Security Law
in many years. It occurs in the larger
context of the hard-right turn (such as the smashing
of the Ssangyong Motor Co. strike of 2009) of South Korean
President Lee Myong Bak’s government since he took
office in early 2008. (In fact, leaflets of the SWLK
distributed during the Ssangyong strike were key evidence in the
trial.)
Prosecutors have attempted to indict members of the
SWLK several times since 2008, and prior to December, the
prosecutors’ case was thrown out of court each time.
It is not impossible that a barrage of e-mail protests to
Judge Hyung Doo Kim of the Seoul Central District Court will
help reduce or obviate the pending sentences altogether,
when final sentencing will take place on Jan. 27.
Let Judge Kim know your feelings in your own words
about this crackdown on “thought crime” by writing to
swlk@jinbo.net
The e-mails must be received by 06:00 AM on Monday
January
17th 2011 (Seoul time), so that the SWLK’s lawyer
can
forward them to Judge Kim prior to sentencing.
Please distribute this appeal as widely as possible.
Messages in languages other than English are welcome.
Loren Goldner
For further details on this case, contact me at lrgoldner@gmail.com
Monday 10 January 2011
Temporary workers struggle to regain jobs
The following article was published in today's (bourgeois) Korea Times:
Temporary workers struggle to regain jobs
Jan.05: Workers eat lunch during a sit-in protest in a building of Hongik University in Seoul
More than 30 janitors and cleaning ladies in their 50s and 60s have been holding a sit-in protest in the main building of Hongik University in Seoul for four days since Monday morning, demanding the school withdraw the collective termination of their employment contracts.
Despite freezing weather, they have been eating and sleeping on the cold floor of the Munheon Building on the campus. The first floor of the building was full of workers Wednesday; some chatting with one another and others preparing for another long, cold night. Many were busy preparing meals for everyone, while others were worried about their family back home.
“I worked at Hongik University for five years, and some have been here even longer, and the school told us to leave without any advance notice,” said Seo Bok-deok, 57, who was making coffee for fellow workers sitting on mats covering the cold concrete floors.
“I do wish we could have negotiations with the school, but they have not said anything,” she added.
Structural problems
The seeds of dispute were sown when 170 janitors, cleaners and guards of the school formed a labor union on Dec. 1 and demanded higher wages and better working conditions.
They were not directly hired by the school but were working for the school through contracts signed with two labor-supply companies. At the call for higher wages, the service companies asked the school to reflect their demand on contracts between the companies and school.
However, the school refused to sign the contracts, and the labor-supplying companies in turn informed the workers of the termination of contracts on Dec. 31.
The workers said they have been working, receiving hourly wages of 4,120 won, which is lower than the minimum legal wage of 4,320 won, and the school wanted them to extend the contract under the same conditions.
School officials refused to talk to reporters. They have maintained the position that the workers are not the party with which the school should talk with, as they were not directly hired by it.
Non-permanent workers
The conflict at the university is the latest in a series of labor disputes involving temporary workers. From top conglomerates and small mom-and-pop businesses, a growing number of employers are relying on these temporary workers as they can hire them at far lower wages.
The dispute at Hongik University reflects that the problem of non-regular workers is developing into a social issue that encompasses all generations from the youth to the elderly, analysts said.
According to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), many schools have gone through such disputes with workers’ unions over the past couple of years.
Some 90 workers at Dongguk University were sacked after the school switched to a different service company, but it agreed to rehire them after they held days of demonstrations and sit-ins in December.
“The problem is that the universities usually avoid negotiations, claiming they are not the direct employers. The only way to solve this is to have them realize that the school is actually in charge of hiring and employing workers,” said Ryu Nam-mi, a policy director from the Preparation Committee for KCTU.
The student council at the school expressed their stance Thursday, saying that it in principle supports the workers who were fighting for their rights. It claimed that it was a matter to be solved between the school, workers and the contractors, indicating that the labor umbrella group should not meddle in the case.
Earlier the student council issued a statement that criticized the workers for their alliance with the militant KCTU in their struggle against the school, claiming that such protests could negatively affect the school’s reputation.
Most of the workers at Hongik worked 50 hours per week, receiving a monthly wage of 750,000 won plus 300 won for lunch a day.
When asked what she hoped for her and her fellow workers, Seo’s voice shook a bit, both from the cold and disappointment.
“There’s nothing complicated about it. We have received nothing prior to the layoffs. What more can we want? We just want our jobs back,” she said.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/117_79288.html
Today's struggle rally in front of Hongik University's main building
-----------------------------------------
Hankyoreh recently had the following report (oddly enough filed under "entertainment"):
HARSH RETRIBUTION
Female subcontractors that maintain and clean school facilities in Hongik University, Seoul, engage in a sit-in demonstration in front of the president’s office, demanding a meeting with the president and withdrawal of dismissals, Jan. 3.
Around 170 subcontractors in their 50s and 60s were fired last month as the university management terminated a contract with the service company that hired them. It was just several days after they organized a labor union in early December. The contracts of the subcontractors who were charge of cleaning, maintenance and security were in place since 1998 when South Korea was hit by foreign currency crisis, even though the service company hiring them changed. The only defense at this time was the fact that they made a labor union for improving treatment.
The workers usually worked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but earned a net income of about 750,000 Won ($668) and just 9,000 Won for lunch a month. They have shown strong determination to continue sits-in until they can work again...
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/457145.html
Temporary workers struggle to regain jobs
Jan.05: Workers eat lunch during a sit-in protest in a building of Hongik University in Seoul
More than 30 janitors and cleaning ladies in their 50s and 60s have been holding a sit-in protest in the main building of Hongik University in Seoul for four days since Monday morning, demanding the school withdraw the collective termination of their employment contracts.
Despite freezing weather, they have been eating and sleeping on the cold floor of the Munheon Building on the campus. The first floor of the building was full of workers Wednesday; some chatting with one another and others preparing for another long, cold night. Many were busy preparing meals for everyone, while others were worried about their family back home.
“I worked at Hongik University for five years, and some have been here even longer, and the school told us to leave without any advance notice,” said Seo Bok-deok, 57, who was making coffee for fellow workers sitting on mats covering the cold concrete floors.
“I do wish we could have negotiations with the school, but they have not said anything,” she added.
Structural problems
The seeds of dispute were sown when 170 janitors, cleaners and guards of the school formed a labor union on Dec. 1 and demanded higher wages and better working conditions.
They were not directly hired by the school but were working for the school through contracts signed with two labor-supply companies. At the call for higher wages, the service companies asked the school to reflect their demand on contracts between the companies and school.
However, the school refused to sign the contracts, and the labor-supplying companies in turn informed the workers of the termination of contracts on Dec. 31.
The workers said they have been working, receiving hourly wages of 4,120 won, which is lower than the minimum legal wage of 4,320 won, and the school wanted them to extend the contract under the same conditions.
School officials refused to talk to reporters. They have maintained the position that the workers are not the party with which the school should talk with, as they were not directly hired by it.
Non-permanent workers
The conflict at the university is the latest in a series of labor disputes involving temporary workers. From top conglomerates and small mom-and-pop businesses, a growing number of employers are relying on these temporary workers as they can hire them at far lower wages.
The dispute at Hongik University reflects that the problem of non-regular workers is developing into a social issue that encompasses all generations from the youth to the elderly, analysts said.
According to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), many schools have gone through such disputes with workers’ unions over the past couple of years.
Some 90 workers at Dongguk University were sacked after the school switched to a different service company, but it agreed to rehire them after they held days of demonstrations and sit-ins in December.
“The problem is that the universities usually avoid negotiations, claiming they are not the direct employers. The only way to solve this is to have them realize that the school is actually in charge of hiring and employing workers,” said Ryu Nam-mi, a policy director from the Preparation Committee for KCTU.
The student council at the school expressed their stance Thursday, saying that it in principle supports the workers who were fighting for their rights. It claimed that it was a matter to be solved between the school, workers and the contractors, indicating that the labor umbrella group should not meddle in the case.
Earlier the student council issued a statement that criticized the workers for their alliance with the militant KCTU in their struggle against the school, claiming that such protests could negatively affect the school’s reputation.
Most of the workers at Hongik worked 50 hours per week, receiving a monthly wage of 750,000 won plus 300 won for lunch a day.
When asked what she hoped for her and her fellow workers, Seo’s voice shook a bit, both from the cold and disappointment.
“There’s nothing complicated about it. We have received nothing prior to the layoffs. What more can we want? We just want our jobs back,” she said.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/117_79288.html
Today's struggle rally in front of Hongik University's main building
-----------------------------------------
Hankyoreh recently had the following report (oddly enough filed under "entertainment"):
HARSH RETRIBUTION
Female subcontractors that maintain and clean school facilities in Hongik University, Seoul, engage in a sit-in demonstration in front of the president’s office, demanding a meeting with the president and withdrawal of dismissals, Jan. 3.
Around 170 subcontractors in their 50s and 60s were fired last month as the university management terminated a contract with the service company that hired them. It was just several days after they organized a labor union in early December. The contracts of the subcontractors who were charge of cleaning, maintenance and security were in place since 1998 when South Korea was hit by foreign currency crisis, even though the service company hiring them changed. The only defense at this time was the fact that they made a labor union for improving treatment.
The workers usually worked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but earned a net income of about 750,000 Won ($668) and just 9,000 Won for lunch a month. They have shown strong determination to continue sits-in until they can work again...
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/457145.html
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