Korean union leader sentenced to 5 year imprisonment
The UNI Global Union family offered support to Han Sang-gyun, President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions after he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
On July 4th, the Seoul District Court sentenced Han Sang-gyun, the President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), to 5 years of imprisonment for the violation of general traffic and assembly laws on the 14th of November 2015 on the occasion of a KCTU rally. Han Sang-gyun was also fined 50 million Korean Won.
Korean unions across all sectors have been on the front line to protect workers’ rights over the past few months after government crackdowns on workers’ rights. Around 50,000 public and financial sector workers from the FKTU and KCTU held a rally to protest government reforms such as the incentive system and restricting plans, which have no concern for workers’ rights.
Negotiations on the minimum wages at the tripartite commission have reached a stalemate. Unions want to raise the minimum wage from W6030 to W10,000 per hour.
President Park Geun-hye’s fierce crackdown on trade unions has seen unions banned, union offices raided and ransacked, leaders and members arrested and punishing legal damages levelled against individual union members.
KCTU Vice President Choi Jong-jin said, “This political suppression is designed to silence the KCTU. We will not accept this judgement – Han Sang-Gyun is not guilty.”
“This latest clampdown on freedom of speech and trade unions in Korea is unacceptable,” said UNI Global Union Deputy General Secretary Christy Hoffman.
“The fight against President Park’s administration, which seeks to destroy the labour movement and remove basic human rights, will continue until trade unions, workers and the Korean people are respected.”
“Han Sang-gyun has the full support of the UNI Global Union family and we demand his immediate release.”
President of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Kim Dong-man also condemned the court ruling and called for the immediate release of Han Sang-Gyun.
Kim Dong-man said, “Brother Han and the KCTU have our full support and solidarity.”