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“Enough is enough” say South Korean trade unionists who are preparing to hold a mass strike on Tuesday to mark one year since President Park Geun-hye came to power.

The South Korean trade union federation KCTU have called a“People’s Strike” and say they are sick of the government’s relentless attacks on human and trade union rights.

Shockingly, 15 trade union leaders are currently either in prison or on bail in South Korea. The global labour movement is calling for the release of those behind bars and say the government must drop all charges. The Trade Unions Confederation and LabourStart have launched the #FreetheKorean15 campaign, and asks the public to email  the South Korean President and demand the immediate release of prisoners.

The People’s Strike is set to shine a spotlight on the deterioration of freedoms of association and assembly, and the right to strike in Korea. The TUC has listed a comprehensive breaking of President Park’s election pledges on social protection and labour rights. These are detailed, together with the names of the 15 trade unionists in jail or on bail, on the on the TUC website. 

The campaigners will march under the slogan “After one year under Park’s Government, we cannot stand anymore!” Trade unionists find it increasingly difficult to speak out against the South Korean government. According to the #FreetheKorean15 campaign, the Korean Teachers Union was de-registered and the Korean Government Employees Union refused registration. Union buildings have also been raided, the group says.