South Korea

Korean three-year struggle against precariousness

Django — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:44:39 +0000

Female precarious workers for the Korean firm Kiryung electronics today enter their 1,100th day of action in demand of direct employment.

1987: The Great Workers' Struggle

Alex... — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:23:39 +0000

The workplace struggles that took place in 1987 occurred within the wider background of political reform. For thirty years South Korea had been ruled by a military dictatorship, and growing calls for democracy had echoed across the peninsula through the 1970s and early 80s.

South Korean government steps up conflict with candlelight demonstrators

Django — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:10:56 +0000

Riot police in Seoul have stepped up their repression of the "candlelight demonstrations" in Korea, arresting around 150 people after a demonstration on August 15th. Police used water cannons filled with dye on the protestors, and used dye stains as a pretext for arrests.

Hyundai workers wildcat in South Korea

catch — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:34:19 +0000

The following is a report from a contact in Ulsan:

The Korean working class: From mass strike to casualization and retreat, 1987-2007

catch — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:37:55 +0000

The Korean Working Class: From Mass Strike to Casualization and Retreat, 1987-2007

Loren Goldner

ABSTRACT

Korea: rail-workers, dockers and truckers call off strike

jef costello — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:16:52 +0000

The government had declared the strike illegal and had mobilised hundreds of soldiers to try to keep the railways open over the weekend. This would have been the fourth such strike in South Korea since 2000. The unions have yet to confirm why they cancelled the action, with many workers told while they were preparing pickets only an hour before the official debut of action at 4am

Korea: Train attendants strike in longest, most bitter struggle by working women

David in Atlanta — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:01:58 +0000

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) officials led KTX women workers to believe that although they were initially hired under short-term contracts via an external company, they would be granted permanent status as direct employees of KORAIL after one year. However, the KTX Crew Workers Branch Union’s demands for direct and permanent employment have yet to be met.

Korean workers riot in Vietnam, 1967

Peter — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:15:03 +0000

MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam, the U.S. command for all its military forces in Vietnam – ed.) had also been directed to start a civilianization program on September 15, 1967. South Vietnamese workers would be substituted for U.S. military support personnel in certain logistical units. There were many advantages. American manpower could be trimmed as technical expertise was shared.

Police seek arrest of Korean union leader

Ed — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:30:28 +0000

Arrest warrants will be sought for Park Yu-ki, the Hyundai Motor union leader, and two other union members over their alleged violence at the company's New Year ceremony on Jan. 4, police officials in this southeastern industrial city said.

Repression of Korean civil servants continues

Sorry. — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:51:05 +0000

The Korean government declared the 140,000 member union illegal, after it refused to register under new union legislation curbing rights to strike and recruit. From September 22nd, the security services have been shutting down union offices and attacking members.