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One hundred nineteen Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU) offices have been forcefully closed by the South Korean government. Daily crackdowns began nationwide on September 22.

Police used claw hammers, drills, steel pipes, axes and power saws to enter offices by breaking windows, doors, or holes in the walls. Numerous union offices were sealed with iron plates and bars following the raids. Internet, phone lines, and electricity were cut off.

Riot police and private security contractors arrested unionists while storming their offices. Many workers were injured.

KGEU members and solidarity organizations held sit-ins and protest rallies inside and outside offices not yet invaded. Police used fire hoses and water cannons to break up these protests. In Namwon, Jeonbuk, a barricade was created in front of an office by a truck drivers union in solidarity with KGEU.

Urge the Korean government to guarantee full labor rights to public employees in South Korea and stop all attacks on the KGEU. Send letters of protest to President Roh Moo Hyun, Cheong Wa Dae (Office of the President), Blue House 1 Sejong-Ro, Jongno-gu Seoul South Korea, 110-050, Republic Of Korea or email president at cwd.go.kr.

You can also send the union letters of support at: KGEU, 7th F1. Daeyoung Bldg, 139 Youngdeungpo-2-ga. Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-982, Korea, or email them to kgeu at kgeu.org.

Expiration Date:
Fri, 12/01/2006 - 12:00am