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5 July, 1999The number of Korean unionists arrested in the first six months of 1999 has surpassed the yearly average achieved by the previous government.
KOREA, REP: 112 Korean unionist were either arrested, detained, sentenced or wanted for arrest during the first six months of this year. The figure for 1998 was 209, which is more than twice the average number of unionists arrested/imprisoned/wanted for arrest during the period (1993-1997) of the previous government, reports the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
At present, a total of 67 KCTU unionists are held in prison. The imprisoned unionists include Dan Byung-ho, the former president of the Korean Metal Workers' Federation KMWT. He was the president of the Federation at the time of arrest and has been sentenced to one year imprisonment. Another notables among the convicted unionists, Kim Kwang-shik, the former president of the Hyundai Motors Workers' Union is serving an one and a half years prison sentence.
Apart from those already apprehended, arrested, and detained or imprisoned, 38 other KCTU leaders and members are wanted for arrest. Six of the seven elected officers (the president, 4 vice-presidents and the general secretary) of the Korean Metal Workers' Federation are wanted for arrest for the demonstration of the metal workers in May 1999.
Two delegates from the metalworkers' unions reported on the situation in South Korea to the IMF Central Committee meeting in Helsinki on June 23. They asked all trade unions to send protest letters to the Korean government.
The Central Committee gave its support to the Korean workers' struggle and urged the Kim Dae-jung government to release jailed trade unionist and to withdraw arrest warrants for the KMWT leaders.
At present, a total of 67 KCTU unionists are held in prison. The imprisoned unionists include Dan Byung-ho, the former president of the Korean Metal Workers' Federation KMWT. He was the president of the Federation at the time of arrest and has been sentenced to one year imprisonment. Another notables among the convicted unionists, Kim Kwang-shik, the former president of the Hyundai Motors Workers' Union is serving an one and a half years prison sentence.
Apart from those already apprehended, arrested, and detained or imprisoned, 38 other KCTU leaders and members are wanted for arrest. Six of the seven elected officers (the president, 4 vice-presidents and the general secretary) of the Korean Metal Workers' Federation are wanted for arrest for the demonstration of the metal workers in May 1999.
Two delegates from the metalworkers' unions reported on the situation in South Korea to the IMF Central Committee meeting in Helsinki on June 23. They asked all trade unions to send protest letters to the Korean government.
The Central Committee gave its support to the Korean workers' struggle and urged the Kim Dae-jung government to release jailed trade unionist and to withdraw arrest warrants for the KMWT leaders.