Besides the draconian National Security Law, which makes it
criminal to be a communist, engage in any activity deemed to be
"pro-north", call for the reunification of Korea or have any
contact with individuals or organizations in the north or deemed
"pro-north", the latest law introduced by the south Korean regime
attacks the rights of workers. On Dec. 26, at a secret pre-dawn
session of the legislature, the Kim Young-sam regime passed a new
labor bill making it easier for companies to lay off employees en
masse and making it even more difficult for south Korean workers to
organize. That same day, workers in the automobile industry and in
the ports began strike actions.
Hundreds of thousands of workers, joined by youth and
students, have staged a series of rotating strikes, demonstrations
and mass rallies to oppose the new law. This morning, the south
Korean government deployed thousands of police and armed troops,
including armored cars and helicopters, against the workers and
youth. The Kim Young-sam government has threatened trade union
leaders with jail if the strike actions are not called off.
Over 6,000 students were already arrested this summer under
the National Security Law for organizing protests calling for the
reunification of north and south Korea and demanding the withdrawal
of all foreign troops from the Korean Peninsula.
A "Team Canada" delegation headed by Prime Minister Jean
Chre‚tien and including nine of the ten provincial premiers just
left south Korea, after signing trade deals with the south Korean
regime. The hypocrisy of the Liberal government is abundantly
clear. When it suits its interests, it parrots the line of the U.S.
imperialists on "human rights" and supports actions such as the
bombardment of Iraq or the boycott imposed on Iran. When it comes
to their friends and is in the interests of the financial
oligarchy, the Liberals leap all over themselves to pronounce that
these are internal problems and of no concern to the Canadian
people.
All justice-loving peoples must oppose the brutal attacks
against the working class and people in south Korea.
OPPOSE THE BRUTALITY AGAINST THE STRIKING WORKERS IN SOUTH KOREA!
REPEAL THE NEW ANTI-WORKER LABOR LEGISLATION!
REPEAL THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW!
FOREIGN TROOPS, OUT OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA!
FOR THE PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF KOREA!
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
