[Editorial] KCTU Must Pursue Structural Reform

Instances of corruption in the labor movement have now been found at the headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU, Minju Nochong). It has gotten to the point where it will be difficult to restore lost confidence with promises of self-reflection and reform. The arrest of KCTU leader Kim Seung Kyu for taking a bribe from a national organization of taxi companies is by itself shocking enough.

Even when there were cases of corruption in unions belonging to KCTU and even when a key official at the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU, Han'guk Nochong) was arrested, many people probably believed that the central offices of the KCTU was different. People believed it its long tradition of struggle. This latest case, however, destroys those last hopes. The question of whether laws were violated will be cleared up in the course of the investigation and trial, but it is never excusable, not for any reason, to hold your hand out to a business organization. That is because the most precious value the labor movement has to maintain is independence.

KCTU says that it is going to engage in its own inquiry and issue strict censure where problems are found. It is of course necessary that that happen. However, it needs to also agonize over structural innovation that would fundamentally do away with room for problems to occur. It might begin by thinking about a format for reviewing candidates in the officer selection process. During the selection of chairman and vice chairperson there needs to be debate about what has transpired so as to see where the candidates stand. Examining the qualities of each potential officer representing hundreds of thousands of workers is necessary not only for preventing corruption but also for the overall health of the organization. There also needs to be improvements in how labor-business negotiations are done and a structure in place that assures transparency in the course of those negotiations. Only that will make it possible for there to be checks on the part of members over unilateral decisions by organization officers and for there to be democratic decision making.

It is time for the labor movement, too, to have a structure that guarantees the participation of its many members through various structural checks and to move past the way it depends on the healthy judgment of its officers. If it postpones such reforms any longer it could forever be unable to restore confidence.

The Hankyoreh, 11 October 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]