Demonstration at the Korean Consulate in S.F. to protest South Korean labor repression

Statement of Support
from the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
to our brothers and sisters at the
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions


The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) is a national U.S.-based organization struggling to defend the rights of working people at home and abroad.

We recognize that the U.S. government objective of imposing a new type of colonialism on the world is pursued through war, military intervention and occupation; through FTAs and global financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank; and through support for repression carried out by compliant governments.

We send our support and solidarity to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in its efforts to organize for the rights of working people in South Korea, including the 2006 General Strike. We have joined with the KCTU in fighting the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement during negotiations in the United States and South Korea since last June, and we will continue to do so in the coming months.

The enclosed letter of support for the KCTU's demands has been sent by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition to President Roh Moo Hyun, Minister of Labour Lee Sang-Soo, and Minister of General Administration and Home Affairs Lee Yong-Sup.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition will be joining demonstrations taking place in the U.S. on the November 15 International Day of Action, including the protest in San Francisco.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
Web: http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
Western Regional Office: 2489 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-6545 – Fax: (415) 821-5782
National Office: 1247 E St. SE, Washington DC 20003
(202) 544-3389 – Fax: (202) 544-9359

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A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
1247 E St. SE, Washington DC 20003 USA - (202) 544-3389 – Fax: (202) 544-9359
Web: http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org - Email: info [at] internationalanswer.org

Tuesday, November 14

Dear President Roh Moo Hyun,

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition - U.S. is writing to express its grave concern with regard to the South Korean government's attack on labor unions and their members. We are actively working in support of the campaign launched by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and in defense of the Korean Government Employees Union, Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions, and other unions facing government repression.
Ten years ago in 1996 the South Korean government pledged to change its labor law to conform to guidelines of the Organization of Economic and Commercial Development and to international labor standards. Recently, the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labor Organization made specific recommendations for the revision of South Korean labor law.
Rather than implementing these changes, the South Korean government has intensified repression against labor unions and working people. The government has imprisoned over 100 labor unionists; has violently attacked labor demonstrations and strikes - leading to the injury of many and the death of Ha Joong Keun; has raided and shut down union offices; and has refused to recognize the Korean Government Employees Union. It excluded the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions from negotiations over new labor legislation, known as the "9-11 Deal," a bill which falls far short of the reforms needed.
Furthermore, the South Korean government continues to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with the United States that will negatively impact workers and farmers in South Korea, as NAFTA negatively impacted workers and farmers in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition demands:
· Stop trade union repression, stop the attacks on the Korean Government Employees Union and Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Union
· Release all jailed unionists
· Recognize the Korean Government Employees Union
· Rescind the Industrial Relations Roadmap Agreement - Pass real labor reform legislation
· Stop the Irregular Workers Bill - Full labor rights for irregular workers
· No to the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement



Brian Becker, Sarah Sloan,
National Coordinator National Staff Director
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition

CC: Lee Sang-Soo, Minister of Labour
Lee Yong-Sup, Minister of General Administration and Home Affairs
Lee Changgeun, International Director, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions