[2]: 284 As a result, for almost two decades under the military regime of President Park, the FKTU was substantially weakened and subordinated to the repressive state, as well as the family-owned conglomerates or Chaebol, which dominated and monopolized the industries in South Korea and expanded incessantly with government help.

It continued to operate through localized unions, such as the miners, textile workers, anti-government activists, and various Catholic groups.

In the public sector, the National Teachers Union was formed in 1989, to counter the perceived authoritarian nature of education in Korea.

These provisions prompted the KCTU to successfully mobilize 150,000 Korean workers and FKTU leaders, who previously displayed a pro-government propensity, to strike together.

Despite the overwhelming rebuke from the international community, the South Korean government chose to adhere to their initial decision and even threatened to arrest the strikers.

[3] President Kim Young Sam, recognizing the growing popular support for the KCTU, decided to revise the laws and to meet with opposition leaders.

Ostensibly, the strike was of historic significance - it was extremely well managed and organized on a national level, and achieved lasting legal reform.

The "no work, no pay" rule and no payment to full-time union leaders was still applicable in the revised laws, including the flexible workday policy in an effort to reduce wages.

In spite of both the Bank of Korea and the government's effort to curtail the economic turmoil, the exchange rate and the stock market went into a free-fall.

[5] On December 3, 1997, the International Monetary Fund decided to give its largest ever bailout package to South Korea, consisting of $57 billion.

Moreover, they organized approximately 30,000 people at a rally and demanded political reforms and sought protection from the impending arbitrary layoffs, hence the General Strike of 1997.

Whether it was imposed by the IMF or by the government, the bailout requirements gave significant discretion to the chaebol with respect to laying off the workers.

The economic crisis also compelled the government to enact laws without seeking the input from the unions, exacerbating the ongoing conflicts.

[10] The union further stated that "The KCTU’s general strike will mark the beginning of ending inequality and polarization, paving the way for a new era of labor respect.

The National Conference faction has been leading the KCTU since winning decisive victories in leadership elections, which held in 2020 and 2023.

The Teachers' Union claimed 200 members and three regional branches (Seoul, Busan, and Chungcheong) at the time of launch.

[16] Within three years of its existence, KCTU managed significant achievements, including legally recognized by the government and gained substantial national prominence.

With more than half a million members and its ability to mobilize tens of thousands of workers at any given time, KCTU was now a legitimate force that could not be ignored.

And consequently, the union members of the KCTU voted out the leadership who they deemed were responsible for the grave mistake and elected a hard liner, Lee Kap-Yong as their new president.

To mitigate further layoffs by the employers, KCTU affiliates have engaged in strike action at the Hyundai Motor Company in August and September 1998.

In this respect, all trade unions including, KCTU were criticized in unison for their lack of interest of the female workers.

Their failure to address the concerns of harsh working conditions and numerous labor rights violations are extremely unfortunate and incomprehensible.

From the creation of the First Republic of Korea, from President Syngman Rhee and subsequent military generals who ruled for the next thirty years, all suppressed the unions and deliberately dishonored the constitution of the country, for the sake of the "progress" of the nation.

[19] Despite their achievements, they had their share of deficiencies that included internal fragmentation, decline in their memberships, and the neglect of female workforce in Korea.