Thread by @nodutdol

As part of an ongoing series of mobilizations following last month’s general strike, more than 20,000 Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) members and workers rallied in Seoul on Nov 13th to commemorate Jeon Tae-Il Day and demand protections for all workers

The rally took place in Dongdaemun, where the textile industry of south Korea boomed in the 60s-70s. Jeon Tae-Il was a garment worker whose self-immolation sparked the modern labor movement. His last words “We are not machines!” have been immortalized

https://twitter.com/nodutdol/status/1327404378479861760

Workers at the rally chanted “We are Jeon Tae-Il,” connecting their current conditions to the labor struggle half a century ago. KCTU also continues to call for the abolition of irregular work and for an end to inequality.

KCTU also united with 5 progressive political parties to put forward a new platform:
☀️Cut carbon emissions by 50%+ by 2030
🔧Extend labor protections to small business and part-time workers
🏥Extend accident insurance to all workers
👩‍🏭Introduce a four-day workweek

Seoul police showed up to intimidate the workers. Police have already announced an investigation into the “large-scale illegal assembly” and plans to press charges against organizers. This follows a pattern of police exploiting COVID guidelines to repress the workers’ movement.

KCTU president Yang Kyung-Soo has been jailed since September on charges of leading similar “illegal assemblies.” KCTU continues to demand his release.

While labor organizers get charged for holding rallies, sports events like soccer games are allowed to proceed normally.

While Biden admin officials & US media hype up color revolution protests in Cuba today, they’ve said absolutely nothing about the ongoing workers’ struggle in south Korea or the ongoing detention of Yang Kyung-Soo. Like in Cuba, the US sides with the forces of reaction in Korea

This weekend's mobilization was part of an ongoing series of national actions. Stay tuned to hear more about KCTU and the united front as they fight back against neoliberalism in south Korea