[Exclusive] "Let's Start the Broken Pen Movement" 'InGukGong' Incident Sparks Collective Action Among 2030 Generation

Controversy Over Regularization of Non-Regular Workers at Incheon International Airport Corporation... 2030 Group Protest Movement
"Let's Make Our Voices Heard" Photo of Broken Pen Shared on SNS
Hashtags '#Inkgong Incident', '#Broken Pen Movement', 'Lotto Employment Opposition'
Anti-Regularization Blue House Petition Surpasses 170,000 Signatures

A post of the so-called 'Broken Pen Movement' opposing the regularization of non-regular workers at Incheon International Airport Corporation. Photo by Gong Jun-mo, screenshot of the post

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) has decided to directly employ 1,902 non-regular workers, effectively regularizing their positions, which has led job seekers and young people to express feelings of relative deprivation and claims of reverse discrimination. Some have shown collective movements on social media platforms like Twitter, calling for the so-called 'Broken Pen Movement.' This is the first time young people have collectively protested in the 'IIAC' controversy.

The 'Broken Pen Movement' is interpreted as a symbolic act where examinees preparing for civil service exams and other job seekers, feeling relatively deprived and protesting reverse discrimination due to the IIAC situation, break their writing instruments used for studying.

On the morning of the 24th, a member of the 'Gathering of People Preparing for Public Enterprises' (Gongjunmo) cafe posted an article titled "Broken Pen Movement. On Reverse Discrimination by IIAC," stating, "From the perspective of job seekers, no matter how much I think about it, I believe the IIAC situation should not be overlooked." The cafe has 555,508 registered members.

He continued, "If the non-regular workers are converted to regular positions as it stands in the IIAC case, the damage will inevitably extend to other job seekers as well," pointing out, "The IIAC quota will naturally decrease, and those who were preparing for IIAC will apply to other public enterprises, which will certainly cause a blow."

A post from the 'Broken Pen Movement' opposing the regularization of non-regular workers at Incheon International Airport Corporation. Photo by Dokchwisa, captured from the post.

He added, "This situation is clearly reverse discrimination. We must unite and express a strong stance on this matter." He emphasized, "In these difficult times due to COVID-19, we must achieve what we want through fair and equal competition."

The author further stated, "I intend to carry out the Broken Pen Movement from now on. I hope fellow students who share this sentiment will upload such photos on SNS or as profile pictures to raise public awareness and make this an issue," proposing that young people collectively voice their concerns regarding the IIAC situation.

The 'Pen Movement' he proposed involves posting photos of pencils broken in two, used for studying, along with SNS hashtags '#IIAC Situation', '#Broken Pen Movement', and '#Against Lotto Employment'.

On the morning of January 2nd, at a civil service exam academy located in Noryangjin, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, examinees are deeply focused on their studies. Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

This post calling for collective protest recorded 2,143 views as of 1:30 PM on the same day. Comments such as "I will join," and "Let's support and participate" have been posted.

In this cafe, dozens of other posts criticizing the IIAC situation have also been uploaded. One member expressed frustration, saying, "IIAC is really too much," and stated that they could not understand the current situation.

Meanwhile, the 'Broken Pen Movement' has also been shared in the 'People Who Are Determined to Get a Job' (Dokchwi-sa) cafe, which has 2,858,646 members, receiving sympathy from members. Comments mainly include responses like "I will join" and "I will support."

Additionally, a cafe centered on people in their 20s and 30s with 1,934,673 members has also shared posts about the 'Broken Pen Movement,' with ongoing support.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

A petition criticizing the 'IIAC' situation was also posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petition titled "Please Stop Regularizing Non-Regular Workers in Public Enterprises" was posted on the 23rd and had 174,370 supporters as of 1:40 PM on the same day.

The petitioner lamented, "Even jobs that were hired on a temporary basis like part-time workers have become regular positions, and through protests, they are receiving the same wages and benefits as existing regular workers." He added, "In this context, the recent conversion at Incheon International Airport is truly shocking."

Meanwhile, the number of security screening workers directly employed by Incheon Airport is 1,902. The corporation plans to directly employ about 2,100 workers from the existing 9,700 non-regular workers, including airport fire brigade members and wildlife control personnel.