Labor movement of South Korea

Organizations have emerged with differing political ideologies and methods of how to achieve their respective goals in relation to workers' rights.

[3] The movement employs a variety of methods to bargain, and a number of unions have been created to advocate for workers.

[2] Fallout from the strikes led to the creation of a labor department by the American military which restricted union political activity.

[2] The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) was formed in March 1946 in an effort to oppose the left-leaning GCKTU.

[1] In April 1960, Rhee was removed from his position by the student movement which led the FKTU to dissolve its ties to the Liberal Party.

[1] The organization reported problems, such as illegal working conditions or other offenses that violated the Labor Standards Act, to government officials.

[1] Spurred by the ineffectiveness of the government to improve working conditions, Jeon committed suicide by lighting himself on fire in protest.

[1] Statistics vary due to alleged cover-ups, where bodies were burned or dumped into the ocean and unmarked graves.

[1] A slaughter of citizens united "workers, farmers, students, and people from all walks of life" to oppose the government.

[1] The 1987 June Democratic Struggle took place over 19 days, and a number of cities participated in protests for democracy.

[1] During the July and August 1987 democratization of Korea, over three million workers inspired by the June Struggle led an uprising demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and autonomous trade unions.

[3] The KCTU began its first strike in 1997 to protest the passage of bills limiting workers' rights, and later negotiated semi-legal status.