Abbreviations
KCTU – Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KMWF – Korean Metal Workers Federation
KFPU – Korean Federation of Public Sector Unions
KTTU – Korea Telecom Trade Union
KFCTU – Korean Federation of Chemical Textile Workers Unions
KOFU – Korean Federation of Financial Institute Trade Unions
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION urge you to take immediate action on the current South Korean detentions of Trade Unionist. We are deepen concerned about the information we have received from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions regarding the detention of more then 100 trade unionist.
Since May Day 1998, the arrests have taken place., making the Kim Dae Jung government the most prolific in putting trade unionists in jail. His government surpasses the former President Kim Young Sam government’s record of 46 arrests (or wanted for arrest) set in the first year of his term. The record is expected to reach even greater heights in the remaining months of President Kim Dae Jung’s first year in office. The 125 KCTU unionists wanted for arrest — now in hiding — could easily fill the prisons recently vacated by the Liberation Day amnesty.
The 107 trade unionists in prison is modest, however, when compared with the arrests under the National Security Law by the Kim Dae Jung government. In the first 100 days in office, President Kim Dae Jung oversaw his government arrest a total of 245 people under the infamous National Security Law. These arrests brings the total number of new arrests by the new President to 426 (including the trade unionists).
Besides the 107 unionists in prison, 34 have been indicted without detention, 8 released on bond, and 125 wanted for arrest with warrants of arrest issued against them. The total number of KCTU unionists facing criminal action by the government this year is 274.
The arrest of unionists increased since mid-August when the KCTU filed a complaint to ILO for violation of freedom of association. In the complaint, the KCTU noted that 57 unionists were imprisoned. Since then, the imprisonment has more than doubled to reach the current level.
Imprisoned KCTU Leaders and Major Leaders Wanted for Arrest – Some Observations
Since the last documentation, a number of imprisoned trade union leaders were released either on bail or due to formal indictment without detention. Some have completed their trial and released on suspended sentences.
The first hearing of the first trial for KOH Young-joo, KCTU Gen. Sec. was originally scheduled to be held on September 29, 1998 only to be postponed to October 8.
Mr. CHOI Yong-kook, the Chairperson of KMWF Pusan-Yangsan Regional Council, arrested on July 18, 1998 for \"obstruction of business\" by \"inciting illegal strike\" was released on September 22 on a suspended sentence. He was sentenced to 1 year and 2 months imprisonment but released on suspension of the sentence. His trial lasted only two seatings. The first seating — the only time the prosecutor, defense lawyer, and the \"accused\" had chance to speak — lasted only 20 minute. The verdict by the judge was handed down at the second seating on September 22.
It is very likely that the actual court proceedings for all the cases involving trade unionists who were branded at the time of their arrest as causing damage to national economy, threatening the very survival of the state and nation will be very short. The only difference in how long individual unionists are held in detention will depend on the backlog in the courts or the scheduling by the court authority or by the how long the labour authorities want to keep them away from their organisation and work.
It is, therefore, very likely that there will be a \"revolving door\" situation for trade unionists, where new people are put in prison as those held in detention are released. [It would cause great difficulty for maintaining up to date documentation. Even in typing up this list, one person was released while another person was arrested.] This will continue as there are still over 100 trade unionsts wanted for arrest with warrants of arrest issued against them.
KCTU Leaders Wanted for Arrest (Warrants of Arrest Issued) or Indicted without Detention
Over 120 Unionists wanted for arrest (but the number changes as new arrests are made. For example HWANG Young-ho, the president of Korean Federation of Chemical Textile Workers Unions, was arrested on September 25 after the warrant of arrest was issued on August 12, 1998. Another person who were on the wanted list was arrest on the day this update was being made. Mr. CHO Hee-mahn, president of National Union of Regional Health Insurance Cooperative Workers, was arrested late October 1, 1998.
Imprisoned KCTU Leaders following the May Day and Two General Strikes
KCTU Officers
01. KOH Young-ju KCTU General Secretary conspiring to obstruct business through general strike 02. KANG Han-kyu Chairperson, KCTU Pusan Regional Council obstruction of business in the Pusan subway strike 03. BANG Seok-soo KCTU Ulsan Regional Council, Dir. Education NSL, Youngnam Committee Case Korean Federation of Public Sector Union (KFPU) 04. KIM Ho-seun President, Korean Federation of Public Sector Unions (KFPU) illegal strike by KTTU President, Korea Telecom Trade Union (KTTU) 05. KIM Je-yeun First Vice-president, Korea Telecom Trade Union illegal strike by KTTU 06. KIM Shi-hwan Director, Organising Dept. Korea Telecom Trade Union illegal strike by KTTU 07. PARK Cheol-woo Chairperson, Seoul Branch Korea Telecom Trade Union illegal strike by KTTU 08. SHIN Kyu-shik Director, Organising Dept. Seoul Branch KTTU illegal strike by KTTU 09. SHIN Myong-hee Chairperson, Directory Service Division KTTU illegal strike by KTTU 10. CHO Hee-mahn President, Nat’l Union of Regional Health Cooperatives Workers illegal strike First Vice-President, Korean Federation of Public Sector Unions Korean Federation of Chemical Textile Trade Unions 11. HWANG Young-ho President Korean Federation of Chemical Textile Trade Unions obstruction of business by agitating strike at Taekwang 12. AHN Sang-ha President, Taekwang Daehan Chemical Textile TU obstruction of business 13. SONG Kyo-soon General Secretary, Taekwang Daehan CT TU obstruction of business 14. SHIN Yong-joon Director, Policy Dept. Taekwang Daehan CT TU obstruction of business 15. ERM Joon-seup Director, Organising Dept. Taekwang Daehan CT TU obstruction of business 16. CHOI Sang-berm Director, Education Dept. Taekwang Daehan CT TU obstruction of business 17. JEUNG Seung-cheol Taekwang Daehan Chemical Textile Trade Union obstruction of business 18. JEUNG Sang-koo Taekwang Daehan Chemical Textile Trade Union obstruction of business Korean Federation of Financial Institute Trade Unions(KOFU) 19. PARK Seun-cheol President, Donghwa Bank Trade Union illegal strike, obstruction of business 20. SHIN Hyun-woong Vice-President Donghwa Bank Trade Union illegal strike, obstruction of business 21. JEUN Moon-soon Vice-President Donghwa Bank Trade Union illegal strike, obstruction of business 22. KIM Tae-ho President, Daedong Bank Trade Union illegal strike, obstruction of business Korean Metal Workers Federation 23. JEONG Yun-seup Chairperson, Incheon-Pucheon Regional Council general strike 24. KIM Myong-ho Director, Policy Dept. KMWF Ulsan Regional Council NSL, Youngnam Committee Case 25. LEE Hee Director, Publicity Dept. KMWF Ulsan Regional Council NSL, Youngnam Committee Case 26. OH Se-yong Director, Employment Policy, KMWF Kyungbuk Regional Council illegal strike [Mando Machinery] 27. KIM Kwang-shik President, Hyundai Motors Workers Union (HMWU) obstruction of business (strike) Vice-president KMWF 28. HWANG Chi-soo First vice-president, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business 29. JOO Yun-seok General Secretary, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business 30. PARK Yoo-ki Director, Planning Dept. Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business 31. PARK Byung-seok Director, Industrial Safety and Health Dept. HMWU obstruction of business 32. PARK Chan-kyung Shopsteward, Hyundai Motors Workers Union bodily assault 33. KIM Byung-sam Member, Hyundai Motors Workers Union bodily assault 34. LEE Deuk-ki Assistant Shopsteward, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business, bodily assault 35. LEE Sang-wook Member, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business, bodily assault 36. CHAE Ki-jeong Member, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business, bodily assault 37. BAE Mahn-soo Member, Hyundai Motors Workers Union,obstruction of business, bodily assault 38. PARK Sang-cheul Member, Hyundai Motors Workers Union obstruction of business, bodily assault 39. KIM Hyung-ryul Former Chair, HMWU Jeunju Branch illegal strike, violence 40. KIM Hyung-joon Shopsteward, HMWU Jeunju Branch illegal strike, violence 41. YOO Ki-joon Shopsteward, HMWU Jeunju Branch illegal strike, violence 42. KOO Ja-young Assistant Shopsteward, HMWU Jeunju Branch illegal strike, violence 43. LEE Dong-hee Dismissed worker, HMWU Jeunju Branch illegal strike, violence 44. KIM Jong-hyun President, Hanyoung Industry TU ilegal strike 45. KIM Sang-ryul General Secretary, Hanyoung Industry TU illegal strike 46. KIM Hee-dae Director, Organising Dept. Hanyoung Industry TU illegal strike 47. LEE Kwang-ho Director, Education Dept., Hanyoung Industry TU illegal strike 48. SOHN Nak-koo President, Koryo Machinery TU 49. NAM Taek-kyu Director, Industrial Action Dept., Kia Motors TU Violence, May Day Rally 50. YOON Young-kyun Director, Industrial Action Dept. Kia Motors TU violence, May Day Rally; illegal strike May 27-8 51. LEE Sang-deuk Director, Organising Dept. Kia Motors TU violence, May Day Rally; illegal strike May 27-8 52. IM Jae-hwan Director, Organising Dept. Kia Motors TU violence, May Day Rally, illegal strike May 27-8 53. CHOI Kwi-on Director, Organising Dept. Kia Motors TU Violence, May Day Rally 54. CHOI Seung-woon Kia Motors TU illegal occupation, bodily assault 55. MOON Sang-ki President, Incheon Iron and Steel TU illegal strike, violence 56. OH Jin-seun President, Anam Industry TU illegal strike, occupation of the plant 57. IM Kyung-mee General Secretary, Anam Industry TU illegal strike, occupation of the plant 58. YOOK Hwa-seun Director, Planing Dept. Anam Industry TUillegal strike, occupation of the plant 59. ERM Young-il President, Kamco TU illegal strike rally 60. Cheon Won-il Director, Organising Dept. Kamco TU illegal strike rally 61. HWANG Seong-keun President, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 62. KIM Jong-il Director, Industrial Safety Dept. Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 63. SHIN Shi-yeun Director, Culture Dept. Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 64. HWANG Jong-kyu Director, Organising Dept. Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 65. KWON Yang-kil General Secretary, Daejun Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 66. KWAK Young-ho Member, Daejun Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 67. PARK Young-min Director, Organising Dept. Cheungwon Branch Mando TU illegal strike 68. JIN Eui-seok Auditor, Cheungwon Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 69. KWON Young-min Shopsteward, Cheungwon Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 70. KIM Keun-bae Shopsteward, Cheungwon Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 71. YOON Hee-yong Chairperson, Kyungju Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 72. YUH In-soo Shopsteward, Kyungju Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 73. JEUNG Yeun-jae Shopsteward, Kyungju Branch, Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 74. KIM Nam-yong Director, Solidarity Dept. Moonmark Branch Mando Machinery TU llegal strike 75. OH Joon-ho Shopsteward, Moonmark Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 76. HAN Ji-ho Shopsteward, Moonmark Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 77. KIM Hak-ryul Chairperson, Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 78. KIM Yong-kwan Director, Security Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 79. KIM Yong-dae Director, Education Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 80. PARK Moon-kyu Director, Culture Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 81. YOO Soo-mahn Director, Welfare Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 82. LEE Ki-soo Director, Security Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 83. LEE Shin-jae Director, Research Dept. Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 84. KOH Jong-hee Shopsteward, Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 85. Jeung Kil-soo Shopsteward, Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 86. CHAE Sang-ki Shopsteward, Asan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 87. LEE Choong-ern Chairperson, Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 88. YOOK Jong-keun General Secretary Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 89. LEE Seung-yeup Director, Organising Dept. Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 90. LEE Jahng-ho Director, Education Dept. Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 91. JEUNG Byung-wook Director, Propaganda Dept. Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 92. SHIN Dong-jin Member, Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 93. CHOI Sueng-kyu Member, Iksan Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 94. JEUNG Byung-rok Chairperson, Pyungtaek Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 95. HWANG Ok-doo Vice-chairperson, Pyungtaek Branch Mando Machinery TU illegal strike 96. OH Jin-soo Director, Organising Dept. Pyungtaek Branch Mando TU illegal strike
KCTU Leaders Wanted for Arrest (Warrants of Arrest Issued) or Indicted without Detention
YOO Deuk-sang First Vice-President, KCTU DAN Byung-ho Vice President, KCTU (President, KMWF) LEE Young-hyun Chairperson, KCTU Ulsan Regional Council KIM Ye-joon Chairperson, KCTU Daejun Regional Council CHOI Jae-ki General Secretary, KCTU Kyungnam Regional Council HONG Yuh-pyo Chairperson, KCTU Masan-Changwon Regional Council AHN Hyun-ho Chairperson, KMWF Ulsan Regional Council LEE Seung-pil Chairperson, KMWF Kyungnam Regional Council KIM Seun-koo President, Seoul Subway Workers Union CHO Cheol-woo President, KMWF-Tongil Heavy Industry Workers Union LEE Kyung-soo President, KMWF-Daelim Motors Workers Union CHOI Jong-ho President, KMWF-Hyundai Precision Industry Workers Union KOO Choong-il President, KFPSU-Korea Mint Corp. Workers Union PARK Bok-kwan President, KFCTU-Hyundai Heavy Equipment Workers Union
RECOMMEDED ACTION:
Please send letters and faxes to:
1. urge the government to withdraw the charges and warrant of arrrest against trade union leaders and trade unionist.
2. urge the government to fully respect the right to freedom of association, expression and opinion, and the right to strike.
Other actions: You may write statements, press releases, commentaries to publicize the issue in the national and local media.
SEND APPEALS TO:
President Kim Dae-jung, The Blue House, 1 Sejong-no, Chongno-gu Seoul, 110-050, KOREA Fax: +822 770 0253
Minister Park Sang-chun, Ministry of Justice, 1 Chungang-dong, Kwachon-si Kyonggi Province, 427-760, KOREA Fax: +822 504 3337
and the diplomatic representative of South Korea accredited to your country
