From Ang Bayan: South Korean Workers Declare General Strike To Oust President

Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 4, 2024

South Korea workers under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), launched an indefinite general strike in response to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3. The KCTU, the largest federation of unions in the country, represents around 1.2 million workers.

According to the KCTU, the general strike is aimed at defending democracy against the unconstitutional and tyrannical actions of the state. The federation has called on all its members across the country to participate in a work stoppage on December 4. Meanwhile, union members based in the country’s capital Seoul will gather at Gwanhwamun Square. Unions in public transportation and public education officials are also joining the strike.

The imposition of martial law is merely a tactic by Yoon to suppress the people and maintain his position amid the escalating political crisis, according to the KCTU. The workers described the declaration as “unimaginable,” noting that it has been 44 years since martial law was last imposed in the country.

“While the stated reason for declaring martial law is to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and maintain the constitutional order, all citizens except Yoon Suk-yeol understand the true meaning of this martial law declaration. Yoon Suk-yeol has chosen the irrational and anti-democratic method of martial law to extend his political life as he has been driven to the edge,” the KCTU stated.

The federation reminded the public of the dictatorships of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-wan, who both “crushed democracy and human rights to extend their power.” Yoon’s leadership has been plagued by crisis for several months, facing 22 impeachment complaints, with an additional 10 not yet filed. His party, the People Power Party, controls 108 seats in the 300-member parliament.

“The people will not forget this. They remember the fate of regimes that declared martial law,” the KCTU stated. The Yoon Suk-yeol regime itself has declared its own end of power, according to the federation.

The workers will continue the strike even after the country’s parliament lifted the martial law that morning, six hours after it was declared. The KCTU stated that the workers will launch an “emergency strike” for the abolition of martial law, the ousting of Yoon Suk-yeol, and for social reforms and sovereignty.

Source : https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/south-korean-workers-declare-general-strike-to-oust-president/