[KCTU newsletter, February 11^th, 2010]

First Greetings from

the Newly Elected President of KCTU

Solidarity greetings from KCTU's newly elected president, Kim, Young-hoon!

I'm writing to notify the inauguration of the KCTU's 6th leadership, which was elected in last January and to give my first greeting.

KCTU has struggled for another world in which labor is considered valuable and workers' rights are guaranteed since it was founded 15 years ago. I believe that international solidarity from workers' movement around the world made KCTU overcome severe repression from the government and the capital. It made KCTU's today possible. I'd like to express my gratitude for your solidarity and my determination that KCTU will do it's best to be a good model in the workers' movement in the world.

The reality KCTU is facing, however, is very severe. In the middle of global economic crisis, workers in the world are suffering from insecurity of their jobs and workers' basic rights are being deteriorating. Particularly, workers in Korea are in very precarious condition, after inauguration of Lee, Myung-bak government. Far from being reduced, discrimination and abuse against irregular workers are supported by law and institution. The government and employers, at the end, are trying to cut even minimum wage. Killing mass lay-offs led by the government are prevailing and violent and stubborn repression against workers’ movement is still going on. Violation of basic labour rights and freedom of political activities of government employees and teachers are more severe than anything else. 13,000 of railway workers who joined a lawful and peaceful strike were submitted to disciplinary measures. Korean society is groaning under unprecedented repression against trade unions.

It is antinomic that the president Lee, who never open his mouth without saying "global standards", revised Trade Union and Labour Relation Adjustment Act to make a society without trade union, violating international labor standards. For last 2 months, various labor organizations all over the world sent protest letters to Korean government. But the government totally ignored these concerns. However, KCTU will confidently fight back against it. During my three-year tenure, KCTU will win the victory. Even though we are under repression, we will do our best to strengthen international solidarity.

"Workers of the world, unite!"

Today, this slogan looks more precious.

In solidarity,

President,

Kim, Young-hoon