South Korea targets more trade unionists in new wave of arrests

Three leaders of the Gyeonggi Midwest Construction Workers Branch of the Korean Construction Workers' Union (KCWU) on 8 March were arrested and charged for allegedly disrupting business after holding a rally that sought the adoption of their collective bargaining agreement. The charged trade union leaders, including the former and current presidents of KCWU’s Gyeonggi Midwest Construction Workers Branch, were also accused of resorting to intimidation for requesting employers to hire union members. Two of the said trade unionists received two-year prison sentences, while the other one was meted with a one-and-a half-year sentence.



Currently, 8 trade union leaders from KCWU have already been detained and charged by authorities. Since last year, 500 trade unionists are under investigation, and at least three individuals are scheduled for court hearings. 20 mobile phones owned by trade unionists were also seized by authorities. South Korean trade unions said that the latest arrests and charges against the said labour leaders are part of the government’s continuing assault on trade union rights, particularly the right to associate, organise and collectively bargain. 


KCWU is affiliated with the Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions (KFCITU). Last 28 February, KFCITU, KCWU and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a massive demonstration to protest the South Korean government’s relentless attack on trade union rights, particularly its weaponisation of laws to legally harass trade unionists. The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) expressed its support for the protesting trade unionists. BWI also joined KCWU, KFCITU and KCTU in filing a complaint against the South Korean government before the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Committee on Freedom of Association. 


Related article: South Korea: BWI supports unions’ fight vs. state persecution