WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has called for international solidarity actions February 18. This is the date set by unions in south Korea to resume strike action against recently adopted antilabor laws if the government has not taken steps to repeal them.
The legislation, which restricts union rights and increases the powers of the political police, sparked a wave of strikes and protests by workers in south Korea in December and January.
Kiyul Chung, executive chair of the Congress for Korean Reunification in North America, is coordinating the solidarity work in the United States and Canada. He spoke at the Militant Labor Forum here January 31. Chung reported that rallies are now being planned in Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
"With the proposal to reopen discussion on the laws, the government is trying to kill the momentum. In response, we call for continued international solidarity," Chung said.
"The struggle in south Korea is known largely as a labor struggle," he explained. "But it is a political struggle; part of a larger struggle to build a democratic society -hopefully in the near future."
In answer to a question "Why do you refer to south Korea as a semi-colonial country?" Chung gave a brief history of the U.S. occupation of Korea following World War II. "We went from one colonial experience to another. More than 90 percent of the government officials installed in power by the U.S. were those who served the colonial masters under Japanese occupation. We are still struggling today with the colonial legacy in every walk of life."
For more information on the February 18 international day of protest call 301-989-1746, Fax: 301-989-0037.
Candace Wagner is a member of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 27.
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