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
Thursday, 14 July 2011
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
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