Democratic Labor Union to Enforce General Strike Starting Tomorrow

Hold a Press Conference Condemning the Yoon Administration
Simultaneous Strikes in 15 Regions on the 6th
Government Reiterates Firm Stance on Strong Response

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is speaking at the National Workers' Rally held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is pushing forward with a general strike. However, since unions such as those of the subway and railway workers are not joining the strike and the government is responding with a tough stance day after day, the momentum of the winter struggle, known as 'Dongtu (冬鬪),' is weakening.

On the 5th, the KCTU and others held a press conference in front of the National Assembly titled "Demanding an End to All-Out Suppression of the Cargo Solidarity and Condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration." The KCTU stated, "This strike by the Cargo Solidarity stems from the government's failure to implement even the minimum agreed-upon terms during negotiations with the Cargo Solidarity in June," adding, "The unconstitutional and illegal behavior of the Yoon administration is the problem. They have carried out ruthless acts that disregard international labor standards and international human rights law on all fronts."

Starting the next day, the KCTU plans to launch a general strike. The KCTU announced that it will conduct simultaneous general strikes in 15 regions. In addition to striking, KCTU members will engage in various forms of protest such as leaving work early and educational activities. On the 3rd, the KCTU held a nationwide workers' rally near the National Assembly Station in Seoul and declared its intention to build momentum toward the general strike.

However, the momentum of the general strike is expected to weaken. The Seoul Transportation Corporation union under the Public Transport Union and the National Railway Union, which includes members from Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), have withdrawn their strikes after reaching agreements with management. The Cargo Solidarity, which has been striking for 12 days, is also seeing its strike intensity diminish as the government pressures them with work resumption orders and investigations by the Fair Trade Commission. The government has even proposed canceling the cargo transport qualifications of Cargo Solidarity members who obstructed the passage of non-striking truck owners and sent threatening messages, and restricting their requalification for two years.

The government continues to signal a hardline response. President Yoon was reportedly quoted in a recent closed-door meeting with aides comparing the union strike to "North Korea's nuclear threat." The day before, in closing remarks at a meeting with related ministers, President Yoon stated, "The KCTU's general strike is a political strike," and added, "We will hold those responsible for organized illegal and violent acts accountable to the fullest extent according to law and principles."