Human Rights Commission Meets with Hwamyun Solidarity... "Considering Statement of Opinion"

On the 12th, Park Jin, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (center below), visited the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters protest site in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and is seen talking with Hyun Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the Public Transport Union, and Lee Bong-ju, Chairperson of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) is currently reviewing the possibility of issuing a statement regarding the government's work commencement order related to the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (hereinafter Cargo Solidarity).

On the afternoon of the 12th, Park Jin, Secretary General of the NHRCK, visited the Cargo Solidarity tent protest site set up in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and said, "We have been monitoring this issue independently even before the union requested the NHRCK's intervention," adding, "We are reviewing the issuance of a related statement and policy recommendations." Earlier, on the 5th of this month, Cargo Solidarity requested the NHRCK to issue a statement recommending the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to withdraw the work commencement order, claiming that the government's order infringed on the three fundamental labor rights, or to release a statement under the name of the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission.

Cargo Solidarity launched a general strike on the 24th of last month, demanding the abolition of the sunset clause of the Safe Freight Rate System and the expansion of applicable items. However, under the government's strong response policy including the work commencement order, the strike was ended on the 9th after a vote by union members. Nevertheless, the union leadership continues the tent protest in front of the National Assembly. Lee Bong-ju, Chairperson of Cargo Solidarity, has begun an indefinite hunger strike from this day, urging the preservation of the Safe Freight Rate System and the establishment of a parliamentary discussion body.