Labor Federations Call for Independent and Peaceful Diplomacy
on the 80th Anniversary of Liberation
Urge End to “Humiliating Diplomacy” and Assertive Pursuit of Sovereignty
On the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, August 15, the two major labor federations emphasized the need to pursue independent and peaceful diplomacy.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) held a joint resolution rally at around 9:30 a.m. that day at Yongsan Station Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
In their joint statement, the two federations said, "On the 80th anniversary of Liberation, we stand together before the statue of forced labor victims under Japanese colonial rule, which was established with the heartfelt wishes of workers aspiring to realize historical justice. This is not merely a place of remembrance, but a site to recall the oppression and suffering endured by colonial workers under Japanese rule, and to reaffirm the historical tasks we must accomplish today." They continued, "Although we escaped Japanese colonial rule 80 years ago, true independence and liberation have yet to be fully achieved. We must thoroughly break away from the era of humiliating diplomacy and shift toward assertive, independent, and peaceful diplomacy."
Yang Kyungsoo, President of the KCTU, stated, "It is deeply meaningful that workers from both federations are united in their resolve, on the 80th anniversary of Liberation, never to lose our sovereignty again and never to compromise our dignity or independence. We call for independence because we are the world's only divided nation. If workers take the lead in the struggle for sovereignty and anti-U.S. resistance, moving toward reunification, then our rights, this country's inequality, and polarization can all be addressed."
Kim Dongmyeong, President of the FKTU, said, "The international peace established after the end of the Cold War in the late 20th century has been thoroughly destroyed in just 30 years. We are concerned not only about the economic damage caused by tariff hikes but also about job losses due to factories relocating overseas. Military pressure is also intensifying under the name of modernizing the South Korea-U.S. alliance. As workers who yearn for peace, we are deeply concerned."
Kim Gwangchang, President of the KCTU Service Federation, criticized, "On July 31, the government and media claimed that the South Korea-U.S. trade negotiations were a success. But how can it be a good deal when the national wealth created by Korean workers' sweat and blood is flowing out to American imperialists, and our jobs and production volumes are being taken away?"
In addition, Kim Jaeha, head of the Independent Peace Action Group, argued that the current era bears similarities to the Japanese colonial period, while Kim Daeryeon, Senior Vice President of the FKTU Public Federation, called for the establishment of an independent and pragmatic diplomatic line that goes beyond alliances.
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