KCTU "Organizing 2030 Youth... Achieving 2 Million Union Members This Year"

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced its goal to achieve a "2 million KCTU" through youth organization.

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), is speaking at the New Year's press briefing held on the 27th at the KCTU Education Center in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by KCTU

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said at a New Year's press briefing held on the 27th at the KCTU Education Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, "We are attracting young people we meet at the impeachment square to the KCTU," adding, "The most important concern is how young people can participate in the KCTU."

Chairman Yang stated, "This year, we will focus on issues related to platform workers such as webtoon artists and broadcast writers," and added, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, the number of union members increased by about 300,000, reflecting the government's efforts to resolve irregular workers' issues in the public sector, which led to the formation of unions. We need to pay attention to the labor rights issues of platform workers."

Yang said, "The Seoul General Union has established branches, and the Daegu Regional Headquarters has founded a chapter, and we intend to involve them in the KCTU," adding, "Although they do not currently have the same status as regular members, we consider them as associate members for now, and we plan to increase youth union members in this way."

Chairman Yang emphasized, "It is the role of existing executives to ensure that KCTU leadership changes to younger generations," and said, "While it is necessary for the current executive team to be interested in labor, society, and minorities, it is difficult for the current executives to handle all these issues. It is important that those who view our social problems as most important become the core."

Meanwhile, regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, declaring himself as center-right, Yang said, "Center-conservative is the accurate term. Although the Democratic Party claims to be progressive, upon reflection, it has played a center-conservative role," adding, "We do not intend to be overly affected by Lee's remarks, but our concern is how to build a progressive political sphere in South Korea's political landscape, which is tilted toward conservatism."