Stop the prosecution and harassment of Korean public workers

The Government of South Korea has prosecuted almost 1,400 public servants and teachers, members of the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU) and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), for alleged violation of punitive laws which make it unlawful for public workers to either support or criticise political parties. Hundreds more teachers and public servants are facing indictments and prosecution. The KGEU and the KTU are affiliated to the global union federations Public International and Education International respectively

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has recently criticised the South Korean Government for failing to guarantee the exercise of these fundamental human rights.

PSI and EI, jointly with the KGEU and KTU urgently request that trade unions and concerned citizens write to the Korean government now to demand an end to the persecution of KGEU and KTU members and to urge the government to guarantee human rights and democracy.