Metal Workers' Union Over-policing Controversy Deepens Labor-Government Conflict
Labor Special Committee "Social Dialogue Needed... Labor, Management, and Government Must Meet"
The nationwide Metal Workers' Union Federation (Geumsoognoryeon) executive's excessive suppression controversy is expected to lead to a prolonged strong confrontation between the labor sector and the government. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) condemned the police's excessive suppression of union protests and declared its absence from the tripartite dialogue scheduled to be held for the first time under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
The tripartite dialogue scheduled for the 1st was expected to open a channel for dialogue in labor-government relations. However, on the 31st of last month, a controversy arose over the police's excessive suppression surrounding Kim Jun-young, the secretary-general of Geumsoognoryeon, who was conducting a high-altitude sit-in in front of the Gwangyang Steelworks in Jeonnam, and labor-government relations entered a new phase.
The FKTU has been evaluated as more proactive in social dialogue than the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which has confronted the government head-on. However, with the FKTU also declaring a struggle against the government, concerns are emerging that communication channels between the labor sector and the government may be cut off and conflicts may intensify further.
The FKTU has mentioned not only its absence from the tripartite dialogue but also its withdrawal from the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC).
Kim Dong-myeong, chairman of the FKTU, held a press conference on the afternoon of the 31st of last month, stating, "I have made relentless efforts not to let go of the thread of social dialogue, thinking that the failure of the Yoon Seok-yeol government will ultimately lead to harm to workers and the public," and added, "Seeing the violent arrests and suppression carried out consecutively yesterday and today by the Yoon Seok-yeol regime, I have clearly confirmed that there is neither the intention nor the will to engage in dialogue with the labor sector. The regime that extends a hand for dialogue in front but violently suppresses workers on the edge of the sit-in behind cannot be expected to do anything anymore."
On the morning of the 31st of last month, near the POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks in Geumho-dong, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, executives of the Korean Metal Workers' Union erected a 7-meter-high watchtower and are conducting a high-altitude protest. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The ruling party, which was seeking to restore relations with the labor sector, is also in a difficult position. At the expanded meeting of the People Power Party's Labor Reform Special Committee (Labor Special Committee) held at the National Assembly on the 31st of last month, the necessity of restoring relations with the FKTU was mentioned.
Kim Hyung-dong, a member of the People Power Party and the secretary of the Labor Special Committee, who is also a former deputy director of the FKTU Central Legal Office, said regarding the FKTU's mention of withdrawal from the ESLC, "It is not that the KCTU's dialogue is completely blocked, but relatively, the FKTU had been continuing dialogue more flexibly. Although there was some distance, there had been continuous behind-the-scenes dialogue, and the tripartite dialogue could have started in earnest on the surface, but it is regrettable and unfortunate that it could not start due to a small incident (the tripartite dialogue and ESLC)."
On the same day, appearing on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Representative Kim said, "The communication channel must be open so that we can confirm where the fault originated. If we do not meet, misunderstandings will continue to grow," and added, "Social dialogue is definitely necessary, so I hope a careful judgment will be made for the sake of all workers in South Korea."
However, he denied allegations that there was even a call within the ruling party to dismiss Kim Moon-soo, chairman of the ESLC, to restore relations with the FKTU. On KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Representative Kim explained, "There has been no official proposal to replace Chairman Kim at all," and said, "Even if the KCTU is excluded, various forces including the FKTU should be involved in the ESLC's operation, but since that has not been the case, there have been opinions that the ESLC should gain strength and support the government's reform legislation."
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