korean military struggles root out sexual

This is one of the guiding principles of the PDP, which officially formed on Nov. In my many conversations with union organizers, students, farmers, and activists, there was one common thread: the fight against U.S. What I witnessed was the struggle workers are taking up for a just and democratic society in Korea. occupation of Korea will benefit workers here in the United States, on the peninsula and throughout the entire globe. For workers in the United States, the military occupation of Korea is part of the $700 billion defense budget, money that could instead be used to fund essential social services. Low wages, job insecurity, rising rents, discrimination, and debt are all issues that workers from all around the world can relate to. The conditions that South Korean workers face are similar to the conditions that workers suffer around the world and particularly in the United States. International solidarity can help force the United States out of Korea. For a peaceful reunification and a workers’ democracy, the United States must leave Korea. This is the result of the Korean War which was never ended through a peace treaty and gives a pretext for U.S. The United States controls the South Korean military and has absolute authority over inter-Korea relations. Embassy in Seoul, then finally the Blue House (the South Korean white house). The unofficial chain of command is Washington, then the U.S. Under the thumb of an occupying army, South Korea’s sovereignty is violated. The United States has around 30,000 troops in Korea at all times. Holding back the workers’ demands for systemic change is the U.S. A remnant from the Japanese colonialization of Korea, the NSL is an anti-communist law which is frequently used to repress the left and labor movement to this day. In a democracy, workers must have the right to express their grievances, but in the case of South Korea this right is continuously curtailed - in this case under the guise of health policies that do not actually protect the population from the pandemic.Īdditionally, South Korean workers and progressive organizations are censored by the National Security Law, which criminalizes any form of political speech that calls for systemic change. 2 for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions by holding political rallies with more than one person. For example, leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Yang Kyung-Soo was arrested on Sept. Among their demands were a living wage, improved social services, and an end to unfair non-contract work.Īmong the many obstacles that workers face, political repression under the pretext of COVID-19 policy was used against labor organizers. My time with the People’s Democracy Party took place in the lead up to the general strike in October organized by leading labor organizations. Lee’s Peace Church in the civilian control zone of the DMZ While there, she engaged in discussions and actions with the PDP and other organizations fighting for an independent democracy and against U.S. Earlier this fall, PSL member Claudia Andrade visited South Korea as a delegate to the People’s Democracy Party.

Korean military struggles root out sexual