KCTU Criticizes 'Harsh Suppression of Executives' at Minimum Wage Commission... Calls for Release Petition

"One Worker Member Missing from the Minimum Wage Commission"

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) declared its withdrawal from the Economic, Social and Labor Council, citing the harsh crackdown on sectoral union officials, while the labor community requested the preparation of a petition for the release of Kim Jun-young, Secretary General of the FKTU Metal Workers' Union.

Ryu Ki-seop, Secretary General of the FKTU and a worker representative, stated in his opening remarks at the 3rd plenary meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 8th, "With Secretary General Kim's detention, the Minimum Wage Commission is short one worker representative," adding, "It is unreasonable to proceed with the minimum wage deliberations under these circumstances."

Secretary General Han appealed, "Regardless of affiliation, fellow Minimum Wage Commission members from labor, management, and public interest sectors are urged to join in submitting a petition for Secretary General Kim's release."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary General Kim was arrested on the 31st of last month in Gwangyang, Jeonnam, during a 'watchtower sit-in' protest and was detained on charges of obstructing police enforcement by wielding a weapon during the arrest.

Secretary General Kim is one of the nine worker representatives on the Minimum Wage Commission, which consists of nine worker representatives, nine employer representatives, and nine public interest representatives.

The FKTU decided at its Central Executive Committee meeting the previous day to completely suspend participation in the Tripartite Social Dialogue body under the President, the Economic, Social and Labor Council, in protest of the harsh crackdown on Secretary General Kim.