The KCTU along with the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) planned
a strike in protest of the factors mentioned above. When the Korean Government
heard about this action, however, the prosecutor and the Ministry of Labor deemed
it to be nothing but a “political strike” and thus illegal according to the
“obstruction of business provision in section 314 of the Penal Code.” Search
and arrest warrants were drawn up for key officials of the KMWU, KCTU, and
officers from the Hyundai Motor Branch. The Vice President of the KCTU, Ms. Jin
Young-ok, has already been arrested and detained!

These acts by the South Korean government bring up concerns
from the labor movement in regards to South Korea’s narrow interpretation
of the right to strike. Their interpretation goes against the ILO Committee on Freedom of
Association Digest, para 527 of 1996, which states that organizations need to
be able to strike to “support their position in the search for solutions to
problems posed by major social and economic policy trends which have a direct
impact on their members and on workers in general..” The KCTU sees recent
actions by the Korean Government as directly affecting the socioeconomic status
and working conditions of their workers.

The KCTU is
calling for solidarity across the Labor movement in supporting the KCTU and the
KMWU. Please send a message to President
Lee Myung-bak and Police Commissioner Eo Cheong-soo today
and organize protests in front of the Korean embassy to stop the arrests of
trade union leaders, and to protect the right to strike in South Korea.